Former Nigerian Head of State, Abdulsalami Abubakar, expressed confidence that the ongoing diplomatic initiatives aimed at reinstating constitutional order in the Niger Republic are on track for success.
This assertion followed his pivotal meeting on Tuesday with President Bola Tinubu, who currently holds the chairmanship of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).
In a significant move, Abdulsalami Abubakar led a high-level delegation over the weekend to the Niger Republic, including notable figures like Muhammad Abubakar, the Sultan of Sokoto, and Omar Touray, the President of the ECOWAS Commission.
This delegation’s primary objective was to engage in discussions with the deposed President of Niger, Mohamed Bazoum.
Post his discussions with Bazoum, Abdulsalami Abubakar committed to updating President Tinubu on the outcomes of these crucial deliberations.
Addressing reporters after his meeting with Tinubu, Abdulsalami characterized the talks with Niger’s military junta as exceedingly productive. He expressed hopeful anticipation of positive developments emerging from these discussions.
“As you are aware, the ECOWAS Heads of State and Government have made me an envoy to Niger Republic and we were there over the weekend to see the military people and discussed finding a way out of the lacuna we find ourselves,” Abdulsalami revealed.
He continued, “So, that’s why I’m here this afternoon, together with the president of the ECOWAS commission, to give a report back to Mr President on our discussions in Niger. I must say that our visit to Niger has been very fruitful and that it has opened an avenue to start talking and hopefully, we’ll get somewhere.”
Abdulsalami Abubakar also conveyed that the coup leaders had effectively presented their perspectives during these discussions, insights that he subsequently communicated to the ECOWAS chairperson, President Tinubu
“He will now consult with his colleagues and then the ding-dong starts and we’ll get somewhere hopefully,” he added.
“Hopefully, diplomacy will see the better of this. Nobody wants to go to war, it doesn’t pay anybody, but then again, our leaders have said if all fails and I don’t think all will fail, we’ll get somewhere, we’ll get out of this mess.”
After engaging in discussions with Abdulsalami Abubakar, Abdourahamane Tiani, the leader of Niger’s coup, articulated that the country would return to civilian rule within a span of three years.
However, this transition plan encountered resistance from ECOWAS, which asserted its stance against prolonged transition periods in the sub-region.
The intricacies of these diplomatic interventions remain pivotal in guiding the trajectory of the Niger Republic’s constitutional future. As the ECOWAS diplomatic machinery grinds into action, hopes are pinned on negotiated resolutions that would steer the nation toward stable governance and peaceful progression.
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