The door may have opened for a peaceful resolution of the standoff between the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and the Niger Republic military junta.
Junta leader General Abdourahamane Tchiani has succumbed to economic pressures and threats of military action by the regional body.
He had rejected previous peace efforts and rebuffed offers for talks by delegations.
On July 26, ECOWAS sent President Patrice Talon of Benin Republic to Niamey, the capital of Niger, to address the hostage situation involving deposed President Mohamed Bazoum.
Tchiani also refused to meet the delegations sent by the Chairman of the Authority of ECOWAS Heads of State and Government, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
The high-powered delegation was made up of former Head of State Gen. Abdulsalami Abubakar and Sultan of Sokoto Sa’ad Abubakar.
The junta leader, however, hosted former Emir of Kano, Mohammad Sanusi, who went on mediation in a personal capacity. Sanusi returned to Abuja to brief President Tinubu.
What transpired at the meeting with the coup leader was not disclosed.
Last Thursday, the junta got a stern warning from ECOWAS to reinstate President Bazoum or face military action.
The sub-regional body, at its second successive extraordinary meeting, put its standby force on red alert.
The meeting came almost a week after the expiration of a one-week ultimatum to the junta to quit office and restore democratic rule.
But Tchiani reconsidered his position at the weekend.
He spoke when he met with Nigeria’s Intervention Team, comprising prominent Islamic scholars led by the National Chairman of Jama’atu Izalatil Bid’ah Wa Iqamatus Sunnah (JIBWIS), Sheikh Bala Lau.
Tchiani apologised for refusing to meet the earlier emissaries.
The body of Ulammas (Islamic scholars) had met with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu last Thursday and had offered to intervene.
According to a statement by Sheikh Lau, Tchiani told the Ulammas that the junta’s doors were open for dialogue.
It reads: “Nigeria’s Intervention Team comprising prominent Islamic scholars in the country at the weekend met with the coup leaders in Niger where both parties agreed to intensify the option of dialogue in resolving the political crisis in that country.
“The Islamic Ulammas led by Sheik Bala Lau met with General Abdourahmane Tchiani for several hours in Niger’s capital Niamey during which they deliberated on all the issues, including the demand by ECOWAS leaders that former President Bazoum be reinstated.
“Bala Lau, who is the National Chairman of Jamatul Izalatu Bida Waikamatu Sunnah, said the clerics were in Niger on behalf of President Bola Tinubu who accepted their request to intervene.
“Sheik Lau said the team had earlier told President Tinubu who is also the Chairman of Authority of ECOWAS Heads of State and Government that their position is that the political impasse in Niger be resolved through dialogue.
“He, therefore, told General Tchiani that the visit to Niger was to engage in constructive dialogue to encourage him and other military leaders behind the coup to toe the path of peace instead of war to resolve the crisis.
“Responding, General Tchiani, who accorded the team a warm reception, welcomed their intervention. He said their doors were open to explore diplomacy and peace in resolving the matter.
“General Tchiani, however, said it was painful to the coup leaders that the ECOWAS leaders did not hear their side of the matter before issuing an ultimatum to them to quit office.
“He claimed the coup was well intended, stating that they struck to stave off an imminent threat that would have affected not only the Niger Republic but also Nigeria.
“He also apologised for not according the team sent by President Tinubu, led by former Head of State, General Abdulsalami Abubakar (rtd), the required attention because they were angry about the ECOWAS ultimatum.
“While tracing the historical ties between the two nations, he said the Niger Republic and Nigeria were not only neighbours but brothers and sisters who should resolve issues amicably.”
Speaking with reporters in Niamey after the meeting, another member of the team and Chief Missioner of Ansarudeen Society of Nigeria, Sheik Ahmad Abdulrahman, said the discussions were fruitful.
“We will now go back home and report to President Tinubu what we have discussed and press it on him that war is not an option in resolving the matter.
“We believe that war is an ill wind that will not blow any good and that peaceful resolution should prevail,” he said.
The junta’s change of stance came as the Defence Headquarters (DHQ) slammed viral reports that the Armed Forces received a coup request.
A statement on Sunday by the Director, Defence Information, Brig.-Gen. Tukur Gusau, said the military believed such false claims came from those who do not mean well for the country.
He said: “The Defence Headquarters is concerned about false and disturbing social media reports twisted to state that the Armed Forces of Nigeria (AFN) received a request to effect a change of leadership in the country.
“We want to use this opportunity to reiterate that the AFN never received nor made such a declaration at any time to anyone or any group.
“We believe this statement came from those who do not wish the nation well. It is surely the wicked imagination of a few who are not happy with the progress and well-being of our dear country.
“The AFN is very comfortable with democracy and remains loyal to the President, Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, His Excellency President Bola Ahmed Tinubu GCFR.
“The military is always willing and ready to defend the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. We urge those peddling such falsehood to desist from such or face the law.
“The Military and indeed other security agencies are on the lookout for these agents of doom. We must all all join hands to strengthen our democracy.”
NLC, Olawepo-Hashim, Onoja: don’t use force
There were more voices against military action against the junta.
The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), in a statement by its president Joe Ajaero, said: “Despite our unimpeachable credentials in the popular struggle against military rule, we would strongly counsel against the use of military force to remove the military junta in Niger Republic.”
NLC added that the disadvantages of military action outweigh the benefits, from putting lives in danger to destabilising the entire region.
It said that equally of significance is the unintended possibility of turning Niger into a fertile territory for proxy wars.
“Even after the war is over, the region must brace itself for raised acts of terrorism or insurgency.
“This is just as it might signal the end of ECOWAS as we know it today given the scenario of 10 members fighting five,” NLC said.
The statement added: “We are advocates of democracy and will do all that is necessary to promote and preserve it.
“However, what will preserve democracy in our territories will not be the threat or use of military force against sovereign nations but the observance of the core values and rules of democracy.”
A former presidential candidate, Gbenga Olawepo-Hashim, urged ECOWAS not to use military might to force the junta out.
In a statement by his media office, he said: “The invasion of Niger Republic may achieve the objective of removing the military Junta in Niamey, but it has the potential of escalating the security problem in the Northwest and Northeast of Nigeria as the remnant of the fleeing men loyal to the Junta will hibernate in forests between Nigeria and Niger to escalate what the bandits have been doing to Nigeria in the past few years.
“Nations go to war primarily to protect their national interests, but in this case, there is no national interest of Nigeria at stake in Niger to warrant a commitment of Nigerian troops.”
According to him, the problem in Niger is an internal one and at best a Francophone issue.
“Nigeria must return to its traditional foreign policy of pursuing peace and security in Africa, policy of non-aggression and non-alignment.
“We must remain non-aligned to the interests of any foreign power at the global stage as formulated by our founding fathers at independence.
“The policy of non-alignment championed by Nigeria and India earned the nation respect and friendship all over the world.
“Africa cannot afford another security mess similar to what happened after the invasion of Libya and the overthrow of Muammar Gadaffi in 2012 that destabilised the entire Sahel region, and Nigeria is still battling with the consequences of mounting security problems in the Northwest and Northeast regions.”
Noting that military intervention is now regarded as an aberration around the world, he urged ECOWAS to employ “constructive engagement and diplomacy” in ensuring that democratic structures are restored in the country.”
Former General Officer Commanding, 3rd Armoured Division of the Nigerian Army, Major-General Lawrence Onoja, said Nigeria must use all means to avoid being dragged into aggressive action.
Onoja, who is about to start teaching Military History and Military/Civil Relations at the University of Abuja, told reporters: “I do not support having Nigeria use military force in Niger.
“I believe that we should vigorously pursue the use of diplomatic pressure on the junta, for them to – on their own – give the West African sub-region and the Chairman of ECOWAS, President Bola Tinubu, who has started very well, a timetable for them to conduct an election for a new President to peacefully emerge and for them to voluntarily relinquish power.
“Use of force in Niger Republic? I don’t think it should ever get to that; I don’t think so! This is because, between Niger and substantial parts of Nigeria, there is hardly any difference.
“I was governor of Katsina State from 1988 to 1990 and as part of the governance of Katsina, I saw great need to travel to Zinder, Maradi and other parts of Niger Republic, holding meetings with their governors and other officials.
“I feel that there is no real difference between us and them, either in terms of religion, culture or whatever.
“In terms of trade, they are always with us in Katsina to buy food, toiletries and everything that you need to survive as a person and they take these from Nigeria.
“Do not forget that there are countless Nigerians who are businessmen and women there too.
“So, if you attack them or use a military option to try restore the government that was removed, the collateral damage may be so much that it would affect not only the people there but also, the Nigerians who are living within the Nigerian border as well as those living within Niger. That is why I do not support the use of force.”
According to Onoja who was General Staff Officer in the Presidency of General Sani Abacha, President Tinubu has enough diplomatic resources and political experience to bring the situation in Niger Republic towards a peaceful resolution.
Also, the national executive council of the Senior Staff Association of Statutory Corporations and Government-Owned Companies (SSASCGOC) cautioned against war.
In a communique issued at the end of its National Executive Council (NEC) meeting held in Jos, the Plateau State, signed by President General Kayode Alakija, the group said: “We call on ECOWAS to do everything possible to avoid going into war with the Niger Republic coupists as it would hurt the ECOWAS communities.
“NEC in session call on the Nigerian President to use his good office as the Chairman of ECOWAS to continue to explore the option of dialogue and diplomatic engagement in resolving the recent crisis in Niger Republic.”
The Coalition of Pro-Democracy Activists in Katsina State also pledged its support to democratic governance.
Chairperson, Comrade Bishir Dauda, said at a briefing: “We condemn and denounce unjustifiable coup d’etat in Niger and indeed anywhere else.
‘’Furthermore, we strongly condemn the arrogance and disrespect to world leaders and respected individuals such as the President of Chad, Mohammed Idris Derby, General Abubakar and Sultan Abubakar, displayed by the coupists.
‘’We demand immediate and unconditional release of President Bazoum and his family. ‘We applaud the ECOWAS for its firm stance in support of democracy and the need to restore constitutional order in Niger.’’
The coalition warned the junta not to plunge the sub-region into needless conflict for their selfish gain but to reciprocate the peace gesture by ECOWAS.