A delegation from the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has arrived in the Niger Republic to hold dialogue with the coup military officials.
Prior to discussions to restore democracy to the country, the delegation’s plane reportedly touched down in the capital Niamey at around 1200 on Saturday.
A source close to the latest delegation told the news agency that the ECOWAS representatives would send “a message of firmness” to the army officers and meet Bazoum.
The delegation, which also includes Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar III, the Sultan of Sokoto, traveled to Niger to hold fresh talks with the military junta in the country under the leadership of General Abdourahmane Tchiani.
Recall that the ECOWAS delegation led by Abubakar earlier this month failed to meet ousted President Mohamed Bazoum and the coup leader, General Abdourahamane Tiani.
The ECOWAS has agreed to activate a “standby force” as a last resort to restore democracy in Niger after generals toppled and detained Bazoum on July 26, but said it favours dialogue to defuse the crisis.
Additionally, this week in Accra, Ghana, the defense chiefs of ECOWAS met to finalize plans for a potential military intervention to reinstall Bazoum should continuing talks with the coup leaders fail.
Following Mali, Guinea, and Burkina Faso as the other three West African countries that have had coups since 2020, the leaders of the West African bloc declared that they must take action.
Ada Peter
