Nigerian mediators say coup plotters ready to talk
Ruler General Abdourahmane Tiani (right)
Source: REUTERS
During mediation talks in Niger, the leader of the putschists indicated his willingness to resolve the crisis through diplomatic channels. The military want to hold the ousted President Mohamed Bazoum accountable for high treason.
DAccording to mediators, the putschists in Niger are said to have agreed to negotiate with the West African group of states Ecowas. This was announced by the head of a delegation of Islamic clerics, Nigerian Sheikh Bala Lau, on Sunday after a meeting with Niger’s new ruler, General Abdourahmane Tiani. The Nigerian delegation traveled to the Niger capital Niamey on Saturday amid tensions between Niger and the currently Nigerian-led bloc Ecowas.
Sheikh Lau said the team discussed all issues, including Ecowas’ call for the reinstatement of President Mohamed Bazoum, who was ousted by the July 26 coup. Tiani assured them that the doors were open to a diplomatic and peaceful resolution of the matter. For his part, Tiani defended the motives for the coup.
Niger’s new rulers have so far refused to receive official Ecowas delegations. One delegation had to leave after a short stay at the airport, and another was banned from entering the country. Ecowas has imposed sanctions on the country and threatened violence if the putschists don’t reinstate President Bazoum. On Thursday, Ecowas leaders ordered a riot force to be activated to restore constitutional order in the country. At the same time, efforts to find a peaceful solution should continue to have priority.
The putschists want to hold the ousted President Mohamed Bazoum accountable for high treason. As of today, the country’s government has collected the necessary evidence “to prosecute the ousted president before competent national and international authorities,” said Colonel Amadou Abdramane in a statement read on national television on Sunday evening.
Bazoum and “his local and foreign accomplices” would face charges of “treason and assault on Niger’s internal and external security,” it said. The military overthrew the democratically elected president in the Sahel state at the end of July and took power. Bazoum has been held captive ever since.
Germany calls for a peaceful solution
Meanwhile, the federal government called for a peaceful solution to the crisis in the country. “The protest against the coup in Niger must not mean declaring war,” said Development Minister Svenja Schulze (SPD) of the “Neue Osnabrücker Zeitung”. There are numerous ways to approach things differently, for example that there will soon be proper new elections or that the legitimate President Mohamed Bazoum will no longer be held and will not be harmed.
Schulze told the newspaper that it was “a rather unusual putsch”. “For example, no one has died yet. That makes it easier to look for diplomatic solutions, which are definitely possible.” Schulze starts a four-day trip to West Africa on Monday.