Chairman of the Authority of Heads of State and Government of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), President Bola Tinubu has emphasised the need to prioritise diplomatic negotiations in resolving the political crisis in Niger Republic.
Tinubu spoke on Thursday at the opening of the second Extraordinary Summit of the ECOWAS on the Political Situation in the Republic of Niger at the Presidential Villa Abuja.
The President, who expressed confidence that the ECOWAS would proffer a lasting solution to the political crisis in Niger, stressed the urgency of the situation, emphasizing the collective commitment to finding a lasting solution.
The ECOWAS Chairman also stated that the regional leaders are ready to exhaust all avenues of peaceful engagement, to chart a new path towards attaining sustainable peace in Niger Republic.
He said,
“We must engage all parties involved, including the coup leaders, in earnest discussions to convince them to relinquish power and reinstate President Bazoum.
“It is our duty to exhaust all avenues of engagement to ensure a swift return to constitutional governance in Niger.
“More specifically, as leaders of our respective nations, we must recognise that the political crisis in Niger not only poses a threat to the stability of the nation but also has far-reaching implications for the entire West African region.
“By remaining steadfast in our adherence to the principles of democracy, good governance, and the rule of law, we can restore peace, stability, and prosperity in the Republic of Niger, thereby fostering an environment conducive to growth and development for all.”
He reaffirmed the commitment to restoring peace and stability in Niger and called for a prosperous future for the entire region.
The Nigerian President warned that the political crisis in Niger posed a significant threat to regional stability.
He expressed concern over the potential repercussions for the West African region if the crisis continued unresolved.