UPDATE: IT IS CRUCIAL TO ENGAGE NIGER COUP LEADERS - TINUBU

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President Bola Tinubu, chair of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), says diplomatic dialogue must be prioritized in order to address the problem in the Niger Republic.

The regional bloc must talk to the organizers of the coup in the neighboring nation, according to the president of Nigeria, in order to restore President Mohamed Bazoum.

At the start of the second special meeting of the ECOWAS on the situation in the Niger Republic, Tinubu spoke on Thursday in Abuja.

He said, “More so, in reaffirming our relentless commitment to democracy, human rights, and the well-being of the people of Niger, it is crucial that we prioritise diplomatic negotiations and dialogue as the bedrock of our approach.

“We must engage all parties involved, including the coup leaders, in earnest discussions to convince them to relinquish power and reinstate President Bazoum. It is our duty to exhaust all avenues of engagement to ensure a swift return to constitutional governance in Niger.”

According to Tinubu, the coup in neighboring Niger has profound implications for the sub-region’s democratically elected governments.

“More specifically, as leaders of our respective nations, we must recognize that the political crisis in Niger not only poses a threat to the stability of the nation but also has far-reaching implications for the entire West African region.

“By remaining steadfast in our adherence to the principles of democracy, good governance, and the rule of law, we can restore peace, stability, and prosperity in the Republic of Niger, thereby fostering an environment conducive to growth and development for all,” he said.

The meeting entered a closed-door session following Tinubu’s statements.

The meeting in Abuja today is likely to produce significant conclusions.

The bloc, which has been working to stop a wave of coups among its members since 2020, gave the military in charge on July 26 until last Sunday to restore 63-year-old Bazoum or risk using force.

In the midst of a wave of economic measures, including border closure, Nigeria has also stopped supplying energy to Nigeria.

However, the coup’s organizers resisted, and the deadline passed without any action.