Transitional Military Council in Niger Sends Former President Muhammadu Issoufou on a Mission to Nigeria

Introduction

The Transitional Military Council in Niger sent former President Muhammadu Issoufou on a mission to Nigeria at a time when the African Union announced it would meet today in Addis Ababa to discuss the crisis in Niger.

Latest Developments

The union said: “The Peace and Security Council is meeting to learn about the latest developments in the situation in Niger and efforts to resolve this problem,” on the condition that the meeting takes place at the headquarters of the African Union in the Ethiopian capital.

Participants in the meeting included African Commission President Moussa Faki Mahamat and representatives from Niger and the West African Community (ECOWAS).

Transitional Council’s Mission

In this context, the Transitional Council sent former President Muhammadu Issoufah, who heads the ECOWAS group this morning, to Nigeria to negotiate the possibility of lifting the sanctions imposed on the country and reaching common ground between the two countries.

Nigeria’s Response

On the other hand, new Nigerian Prime Minister Ali Muhammad al-Amin Zain announced that his country could “lift” the sanctions imposed on it by the Economic Community of West African States “ECOWAS” in response to last month’s coup, given what it represents “unfair challenge” to the country.

“We believe that even if the challenge to us is unfair, we must be able to overcome it and we will overcome it,” said Zain, an economist appointed by the military a week ago, commenting on the measures taken by the regional organization.

In a press interview, Zein expressed optimism after a delegation of Nigerian clerics visited Niamey at the end of the week and held talks with ECOWAS, stressing the importance of Niger’s ties to Nigeria and the African organization.

President Bazum’s Situation

Coup leaders in Niger fired Bazum on July 26, while Bazum says he is being held hostage at his residence.

Two Western officials confirmed to The Associated Press that a military council in Niger threatened to execute Bazum if neighboring countries intervened militarily.

On Sunday evening, Niger’s military council announced its intention to try President Mohamed Bazum on charges of “high treason” and “undermining the security” of the country.

Source

Source: RT+AFP