Following a several-hour Aug. 12 meeting in Niamey, between Nigerien coup leader Gen. Abdourahamane Tchiani and a group of Nigerian Islamic scholars, led by Sheikh Abdullahi Bala Lau, Sheikh Bala Lau reported Aug. 13 that Gen. Tchiani is willing to hold direct talks with ECOWAS leaders, according to Al Jazeera Aug. 13.
Al Jazeera quoted Sheikh Lau saying that Tchiani has “accepted to have fully direct discussions with the leaders of ECOWAS. So, we want them to select a place to meet. Do they intend to meet there in Niger, in Nigeria, or where else [do] they think is better for them?” A time and place for the talks is to be determined “in the coming days.”
Sheikh Bala Lau’s mission to Niamey was reportedly approved by ECOWAS chairman and Nigerian President BolaTinubu. Lau reported that Gen. Tchiani “claimed the coup was well intended” and that it was carried out to “stave off an imminent threat that would have affected” Nigeria as well as Niger. But he added that it was “painful” that “ECOWAS had issued an ultimatum to restore Bazoum without hearing “their side of the matter.” (https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2023/8/13/nigerian-delegation-says-niger-military-leaders-open-to-diplomacy#:~:text=)
