Niger junta bows to pressure, demands meeting with ECOWAS

After weeks of resisting diplomatic overtures from the United Nations, African Union, Economic Community of West African States and the United States, the junta in Niger Republic has finally agreed to talks with the ECOWAS to resolve the political crisis in the Sahel country.

 The positive signal from the military leaders followed a meeting with a group of Nigerian Islamic clerics in Niamey on Saturday.

The Ulammas led by Sheik Bala Lau met with the coup leader, General Abdourahmane Tchiani, for several hours where they deliberated on all the issues including the demand by ECOWAS leaders that former President Mohamed Bazoum be reinstated.

The newly appointed Prime Minister, Ali Zeine, confirmed that the junta was ready for a dialogue, expressing hope that the talks with ECOWAS would take place in the next few days.

Source: punch