A Former Nigerian Military Head of State, Gen Abdulsalami Abubakar’s ECOWAS delegation to Niger in a last-ditch diplomatic effort to reach a peaceful solution with Niger junta had proved abortive once more.
According to BBC Hausa, the emissaries had been scheduled to meet with Niger Republic Coup Leader, General Abdourahamane Tchiani, but it was Prime Minister Ali Lamine Zeine who had received them.
The meeting with the representative of Niger Republic had allegedly lasted about 90 minutes.
It is not clear, as at the time of filing this report, why Abdulsalami’s delegation could not meet up with the junta in the scheduled meeting but there are unverified reports of mutiny by the presidential guard of Niger Republic.
A previous attempt by the ECOWAS delegation, led by Abdulsalami had also failed to meet democratically elected Mohamed Bazoum and the coup leader.
Tichiani had later issued an apology when certain Nigerian clerics met with him last weekend, remarking that he had not meet with the delegation because of anger.
ECOWAS had launched its standby force, stating that all options were being considered but the Niger junta had ignored the ultimatum given by ECOWAS to reinstate President Mohamed Bazoum.
