CNN Indonesia
Tuesday, 15 Aug 2023 00:40 WIB
Niger’s military junta said it would open talks after an ultimatum from the West African bloc countries. Photo: AFP
Jakarta, CNNIndonesia —
Junta leader Niger ready to consider diplomatic solutions to open talks with bloc countries West Africa atau ECOWAS (Economic Community of West African States).
This statement was made by Niger coup leader General Abdourahaman Tiani, after meeting with a delegation of mediators from religious elements, Sheikh Bala Lau.
“Tiani claims that the coup had good intentions, including to eliminate the imminent threat that would affect Nigeria and Niger,” Sheikh Bala Lau said after meeting Tiani, as quoted AFP.
The door for junta diplomacy was opened after the ECOWAS bloc issued an ultimatum to use force against the Niger junta, which overthrew elected leader Mohamed Bazoum in a coup on July 26.
The ECOWAS countries have even agreed to the deployment of standby troops, to deal with the possibility of direct conflict with the Niger military.
Responding to the ultimatum, Niger’s military junta called ECOWAS’s move “painful” because it did not want to hear their side’s defense.
Tiani also offered an apology for not paying enough attention to the ECOWAS delegation to Niger led by former Nigerian leader Abdulsalami Abubakar, arguing the treatment was out of anger at the ultimatum.
Previously the West African regional bloc ordered the activation of troops on alert against the possible military junta of Niger, which staged a government coup last July.
The Nigerian junta, which seized government on July 26, missed a deadline set by the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) for August 6.
Niger actually closed the country’s airspace and vowed to defend his country from foreign intervention.
“No choice is being taken off the table, including the use of force as a last resort,” said Nigerian President Bola Tinubu, who chairs ECOWAS. Reuters.
ECOWAS also adopted a resolution on the deployment of the ECOWAS Alert Force to “restore constitutional order in the Republic of Niger”.
(dna/bac)
2023-08-14 17:40:00
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