An Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) delegation led by former Nigerian Head of State, Abdulsalami Abubakar, has met with ousted Nigerien President, Mohamed Bazoum, in the presence of the military-appointed Prime Minister, Ali Zeine, and a member of the junta.
The meeting, on Saturday, August 19, 2023, came hours after the delegation arrived in Niger’s capital Niamey in a fresh bid to defuse the crisis that has gripped the country since a July 26 coup.
Niger’s governing military council confirmed the arrival of the ECOWAS representatives, headed by Abdulsalami.
A previous ECOWAS delegation led by the former Nigerian leader earlier this month tried and failed to meet Bazoum and the coup leader, General Abdourahamane Tiani.
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It was gathered that the delegation met with Zeine who received them at the airport and led them to the presidential palace.
Speaking with journalists after the meeting with the ousted Nigerien President, Abdulsalami said: “We met him and heard his side of the story. He told us what was done to him and the challenges he is facing.
“We will communicate this to ECOWAS leaders. Doors for talks are now open for a lasting solution.”
Niger’s new military ruler said a transition of power would not go beyond three years, and warned that any attack on the country would not be easy for those involved.
“Our ambition is not to confiscate power,” General Tiani said in a televised address, adding that an attack on Niger would not be “a walk in the park”.
Zeine was appointed Prime Minister following the July 26 coup and is the most senior civilian appointed by the military leaders.
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