By DAMILARE ADELEYE
President Bola Tinubu asked delegation of Islamic leaders (Ulama) to return to Niger Republic for another round of dialogue with the military junta in the country.
Tinubu gave approval to the decision on Thursday after a meeting with the top clerics led by Sheikh Dahiru Bauchi. It is recalled that the delegation was recently in Niamey, the Niger Republic capital, to dialogue with the military leaders led by General Abdourahamane Tiani over political situation in country.
The Nigerian President made the decision in his capacity as the Chairperson of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS). Recall that since the junta ousted President Mohamed Bazoum July 26, 2023, ECOWAS had subsequently imposed various economic sanctions on Niger in response to the coup.
The bloc has also not ruled out using force against the erring army officers in the embattled country. It could be recalled that the West African bloc has approved the deployment of a “standby force to restore constitutional order” in Niger as soon as possible but remains committed to finding a diplomatic solution to the crisis. ECOWAS envoy to Niger Republic and former Nigerian Head of State, Abdulsalami Abubakar, upon return from the coup-torn country had said that his delegation’s meeting with Niger Republic coup leaders last weekend was fruitful.
He said diplomacy won’t fail to restore the democratically elected government of deposed President Mohamed Bazoum. Tiani had said the junta will return to civilian rule within three years but ECOWAS rejected the move.