A delegation from the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), led by former head of state Abdulsalami Abubakar, met with Niger Republic‘s ousted president Mohamed Bazoum.
The delegation, which included the Sultan of Sokoto Muhammad Abubakar and ECOWAS Commission President Omar Touray, was received by Niger’s Prime Minister Ali Lamine Zeine in Niamey.
Abdel-Fatau Musah, ECOWAS Commissioner for Political Affairs, Peace, and Security, stated that this delegation marked the bloc’s final effort before considering military intervention.
ECOWAS had reiterated its readiness to use force as a last resort to restore democracy in Niger, setting an undisclosed “D-Day” for possible military action.
While troops are prepared for action, ECOWAS still prefers diplomatic means to restore order in Niger, as peaceful resolution attempts with the mutinous soldiers have failed.
A previous ECOWAS delegation led by Abdulsalami had tried to meet Bazoum and the coup leader Abdourahamane Tiani but was unsuccessful.
Niger’s military junta had rejected a peace mission from ECOWAS, the African Union (AU), and the United Nations (UN) in the past.
Details of the outcome of the talks between the ECOWAS delegation and Bazoum have not been shared.