Exclusive: Why Niger Junta May Opt For Dialogue

After two weeks of invading the country’s seat of power, the military junta in Niger are said to have opted for dialogue with the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).

This comes after a delegation of Islamic scholars had talks with the juntas in Niamey.

It was gathered that the scholars were sent by Nigerian President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

This comes few days after the ECOWAS ordered its military standby force to get ready.

In a statement by leader of the Nigerian scholars, Sheik Bala Lau, the junta leaders were “pained” that ECOWAS had not heard their side of the story before imposing sanctions. He said that the junta was now willing to talk to ECOWAS and to work towards a resolution of the crisis.

The prime minister of Niger, Ali Mahamane Lamine Zeine, confirmed that the junta had given the green light for talks with ECOWAS.

According to Zeine, there is a possibility that talks take place in the next few days and that the sanctions would be lifted.

‘’We have agreed and the leader of our country has given the green light for dialogue. They will now go back and inform the Nigerian President what they have heard from us…. we hope in the coming days, they (ECOWAS) will come here to meet us to discuss how the sanctions imposed against us will be lifted,’’ he said.