NIAMEY: President of Nigeria, who is also head of the West African bloc ECOWAS has said diplomacy is the best way forward to end the crisis in Niger.
The AFP quoted his spokesperson as saying military intervention cannot be ruled in crisis-hit African state but diplomacy should be given a chance to succeed.
Earlier, the African bloc had given a week to the coup leaders in Niger to restore the democratic government of Mohamed Bazoum or face military intervention.
The situation deteriorated in the former French colony after the military leaders ousted the elected president in a coup on July 26.
However, the efforts by ECOWAS and the United States to resolve the crisis in the country have failed to make any progress.
The spokesperson of the Nigerian president, Bola Ahmed Tinubu said no options have been taken off of the table.
Nigeria Terms Diplomacy, Best Way to Resolve Niger Crisis
ECOWAS has already imposed trade and financial sanctions on Niger after the military coup in the country.
Antony Blinken, the US Secretary of State, has warned against the activities of Russia’s Wagner mercenary group, adding that it can exploit the instability in Niger after a military coup.
The neighboring country of Mali has formed a partnership with Moscow, raising fears over Russia’s growing influence in the area.
Niger has played a key role in Western strategies to fight and combat jihadist insurgencies with the support of France and the United States.
