Following a coup by army soldiers, a delegation from the ECOWAS region of West Africa arrived in Niger on Saturday and met with deposed president Mohamed Bazoum. They were looking for a diplomatic, as opposed to a military, solution to the country’s problems, News About Nigeria reports.
Despite being detained and having his electricity cut off, Bazoum was said to be “in good spirits” by a source close to the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).
Since the coup, he has been detained alongside his family at the president’s official mansion, raising growing concerns about his living conditions.
Additionally in Niger, the ECOWAS group met with the government officials responsible for the July 26 takeover from Bazoum.
The West African delegation met with some of the top officers who seized control, according to the source, who did not specify if coup leader General Abdourahamane Tiani was among them. They were led by former Nigerian leader Abdulsalami Abubakar.
Earlier this month, an earlier ECOWAS mission led by Abubakar attempted to contact him or Bazoum but was unable.
The visit on Saturday followed the announcement by the military chiefs of the ECOWAS that they were prepared to intervene to restore the ousted president.
As a last resort, ECOWAS has agreed to mobilise a “standby force” to restore democracy in Niger.
But it asserts that it supports communication to diffuse the crisis.
According to a source close to Saturday’s delegation, it will see Bazoum and deliver “a message of firmness” to the army officers.
The Nigerian President and ECOWAS chair, Bola Tinubu threatened Niamey on Friday with “grave consequences” if the new administration permits Bazoum’s health to deteriorate.
