2023-08-08 19:34:06
Nigerian President Bola Tinubu, head of ECOWAS, believes that “to diplomacy” is here “best way forward” to resolve the crisis in Niger, spokesman Ajuri Ngelale told reporters on Tuesday.
Bola Tinubu and the leaders of the other countries of the West African bloc “would prefer a resolution achieved by diplomatic means, by peaceful means, rather than any other”added the spokesperson, specifying that this position would be maintained “pending any other resolution that may or may not result from the extraordinary ECOWAS summit scheduled for Thursday”.
Ultimatum expired
“Every human life matters, and that means that every decision taken by the (West African) bloc will be taken taking into account the peace, stability and development of not only the sub-region, but also the African continent”he assured, without indicating whether the option of a military intervention in Niger had been abandoned.
ECOWAS had threatened a possible military intervention to reinstate President Mohamed Bazoum, overthrown by a coup on July 26. This threat, in the form of a seven-day ultimatum given to the Nigerien military on July 30 by the leaders of ECOWAS, was not carried out when it expired on Sunday evening.
A new summit of ECOWAS Heads of State on the situation in Niger is scheduled for Thursday in Abuja, capital of Nigeria which currently holds the rotating presidency of the regional organization.
#diplomacy #ECOWAS