By Riches Soberekon
Religious and political leaders in northern Nigeria are actively working towards a peaceful resolution of the crisis in Niger, in order to avoid a potentially disastrous military intervention by ECOWAS.
Despite the failure of previous mediation missions, ECOWAS, has increased pressure on the military regime and has signaled the possibility of armed intervention. However, negotiations between ECOWAS and the new regime in Niger have reached an impasse.
To find an alternative diplomatic channel, efforts are being made to establish communication between General Tiani and the President of Nigeria, Bola Tinubu, who also holds the presidency of ECOWAS.
Two delegations of influential religious leaders from northern Nigeria, who share strong cultural, economic, and linguistic ties with Niger, have managed to meet with General Tiani in Niamey.
The first delegation, led by former Emir of Kano Sanusi Lamido Sanusi, presented General Tiani’s demands to President Tinubu upon their return to Abuja.
Another delegation, led by Sheikh Bala Lau, a prominent leader of a Salafist-inspired Islamic movement, had a meeting with General Tiani on Saturday. The Sheikh reported that the military regime expressed openness to dialogue, raising hopes for negotiations with Abuja.
Both Sanusi Lamido Sanusi and Sheikh Bala Lau, who wield significant influence in northern Nigeria, as well as in Niger and the Sahel region, have publicly expressed their opposition to armed intervention.
It is likely that their positions influenced General Tiani’s decision to receive them.
