President Bola Tinubu has directed the delegation of Muslim Ulamas mediating in the Niger Republic crisis to return to the junta to have a tentative commitment.
After a closed-door with the president, Ustaz Abdullahi Bala-Lau, leader of the delegation, said Mr Tinubu was desirous of avoiding the use of force to resolve the crisis and restore constitutional order to Niger.
He said Mr Tinubu accepted their suggestions to avoid using force in settling disputes, especially concerning neighbours and long-time allies.
“The president was receptive to our suggestions about avoiding the use of force by all means. Just as we have spoken to the leaders in Niger, and they accepted to avoid violence, the president also accepted it,” he said.
Mr Bala-Lau added, ‘’That is why he is sending us back to Niger to continue with the dialogue about restoring constitutional order to the country. He also directed us to remind the military leaders that there is a pending ECOWAS decision about the takeover.’’
He said the intervention of the Ulamas had been positive, adding that it allowed the junta to accept the ECOWAS delegation of the retired Gen. Abdulsalami Abubakar and Sultan Abubakar Sa’ad III.
Mr Bala-Lau said Ulamas would be heading back to Niger to continue the dialogue, adding that they also understand that war must be the last option put on the table.
Also speaking, Abdulaziz Abdulaziz, senior special assistant to the president on prints, said the meeting by the president with the Ulamas was a sign of the ECOWAS openness to dialogue.
‘’As you know, the ECOWAS leaders were open to all options, but still, they are continuing with dialogue aggressively. This is a sign that the military action will be the last option. The Ulamas’ involvement is a way forward.
“Dialogue and diplomatic trading is not a one-off thing, and it needs to be explored to the fullest. That is what the president is trying to do in this case,’’ Mr Abdulaziz said.
At the second extraordinary summit on the socio-political situation in the West African country on August 10 in Abuja, Mr Tinubu reiterated the ECOWAS intention to defend democracy and protect the people of Niger.
(NAN)