Gen Abdulsalami briefs Tinubu, says diplomacy will solve Niger crisis

By Egena Sunday Ode

ECOWAS Envoy to Niger Republic, Gen. Abdulsalami Abubakar has expressed optimism that the political crisis in Nigeria would be resolved through diplomacy.
He stated this Tuesady after briefing President Bola Tinubu on the outcome of his visit to Niger Republic to engage with the military junta that seized power from President Mohammed Bazoum.
Recall that Abubakar who is Nigeria’s former Head of State was denied access to the military junta on his first visit to Niger after he was named Envoy by ECOWAS.
According to the ECOWAS Envoy, however, his visit to Nigeria’s neighbouring country over the weekend was fruitful as it has opened the vista for discussion with the junta.
He said he had conveyed the demands of the junta to President Tinubu who is Chairman of ECOWAS Heads of State and Government for necessary action.
Recall also that the military leaders in Niger have reportedly released a three year transition timetable, which means invariably that they are desiring to stay in power for that period before handing over to another government.
But Abubakar said diplomatic engagement with the military in Niger would resolve all that, saying that nobody wanted to go to war.
His words: “As you are aware, the ECOWAS Heads of State and Government have made me an envoy to Niger Republic and we were there over the weekend to see the military people and discussed to find a way out of the lacuna we find ourselves. So that’s why I’m here this afternoon, together with the President of the ECOWAS Commission, to give a report back to Mr. President on our discussions in Niger.
“I must say that our visit to Niger has been very fruitful and that it has opened an avenue to start talking and hopefully we’ll get somewhere.
“We’ve started talking, they have made their own points and then I made my report to the Chairman of the ECOWAS Heads of state and President. He will now consult with his colleagues and then the ding-dong starts and we’ll get somewhere hopefully.
“Hopefully diplomacy will see the better of this. Nobody wants to go war, it doesn’t pay anybody, but then again, our leaders have said if all fails and I don’t think all will fail, we’ll get somewhere we’ll get out of this mess.”