Nigerian president says ready to negotiate with Niger rebels

President Bola Tinubu of Nigeria, Chairman of the Economic Community of West African Countries (ECOWAS), has declared his readiness to continue dialogue with the rebels who have seized power in Niger. He announced this following the results of the second ECOWAS summit in Abuja.

“This crisis is affecting the entire African continent and it is important to give priority to dialogue in order to return to constitutional order,” he said (quote according to TASS).

Tinubu noted that the regional bloc will continue to contact the coup leaders “to ensure a return to democracy as soon as possible.” The President of Nigeria also acknowledged that the ultimatum issued by ECOWAS to the rebels in Niger had failed.

On July 30, ECOWAS imposed sanctions on Niger and threatened to use force if the rebels did not restore constitutional order in the country within a week and release ousted President Mohamed Bazum. After three days of talks in Abuja, the chiefs of staff of the armies of the countries participating in the 4 August bloc agreed plan for a possible military intervention in Niger. On August 6, a few hours before the expiration of the ultimatum, the military leadership of Niger closed country’s airspace because of the threat of invasion.

The military coup in Niger took place on July 26. President Mohamed Bazum was removed, and the leader of the rebellion, the head of the presidential guard, Abdurahman Tchiani, became the new head of state. August 9 he signed Decree on the creation of a new government, which included 21 ministers.

The UN Security Council, the US and the EU did not recognize the coup and demanded the release of the country’s democratically elected president. 9 August US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken talked on the phone with Bazum and reported on Washington’s efforts to find a peaceful solution to the emerging crisis. Prior to this, the republic visited Acting Deputy Secretary of State Victoria Nuland. Following a meeting with representatives of the rebels, she said that Washington offered the rebels “several options to continue the conversation,” and expressed the hope that they will support the US efforts.

The Kremlin has previously expressed concern about the situation in Niger. Press Secretary of the President of the Russian Federation Dmitry Peskov said that Moscow stands for the speedy restoration of the rule of law in the country and for “restraint on all sides so that this does not lead to human casualties.”