Niger junta meets with Nigerian envoys, raising hopes of dialog
Officials with Niger's military junta, which has been holding onto power since a recent coup, have met with two Nigerian envoys, raising hopes of dialog that could avert the prospect of military intervention aimed at overturning the putsch.
Niger's military has been holding toppled president, Mohamed Bazoum, since last month in the seventh coup to hit Africa's Sahel region in recent years, with coup leader, Abdourahamane Tiani, head of the powerful presidential guard, declaring himself leader.
On Wednesday, the junta leaders met with the envoys representing Nigerian President Bola Tinubu, who also chairs the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), a 15-nation regional grouping, in Niger's capital of Niamey, a Nigerian government source said.
The envoys, prominent traditional leaders Lamido Muhammad Sanusi and Abdullsalami Abubarkar, were allowed into the country despite closed borders.
Only Sanusi met with Tiani, while his counterpart met with other representatives at the airport.
"It went well," Sanusi told reporters of the meetings upon his return to Nigerian capital Abuja without sharing further details.
On July 30, ECOWAS gave the coup leaders a week to return the ousted president to power or face consequences, including the use of force. Sunday was the last day of the deadline.
Speaking on Monday, Niger's ousted prime minister said the country's military rulers were seeking dialogue with the West African bloc.
Ouhoumoudou Mahamadou told French broadcaster TV5 Monde that "the junta have asked the ECOWAS delegation to return," and the bloc's members "will be in Niamey probably today (Monday) or tomorrow."
"Negotiation is still possible," Mahamadou added.
A delegation from the bloc had arrived in Niamey last Thursday. However, it did not stay overnight as scheduled, failing to meet with either the toppled president or the coup leader.
South Africa to file detailed dossier with top UN court on Israeli genocide
Putin: BRICS, not the West, will drive global economic prosperity
Pentagon says completed US military withdrawal from Niger
Syria condemns Israel's killing of 36 in 'horrific' strike on Palmyra
Iran rejects UN human rights resolution as politically-motivated, unjustified
US Senate rejects bids to halt military sales to Israel
US veto of Gaza resolution 'license' for more Israeli crimes: Tehran
Iran urges IAEA Governors Board to oppose E3’s anti-Iran resolution
Nov. 20: ‘Axis of Resistance’ operations against Israeli occupation
VIDEO | Iran celebrates National Hero Day, honoring Martyr Qassem Soleimani
VIDEO | Ethiopia-Somalia tensions worsen following port deal signed between Addis Ababa, Somaliland leaders
PressTV NEWSLETTER
now
This makes it easy to access the Press TV website
