General Abdourahmane Tchiani, the Niger Republic military junta leader, has agreed to dialogue with the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) after shunning several peaceful overtures. 

The latest development came after Mr Tchiani met with a delegation of Islamic scholars led by the national leader of Jama’atul Izalatil Bid’ah Waikamatu Sunnah, in Niger, on Saturday.

Ali Mahamane Lamine Zeine, the prime minister of Niger, who disclosed this, said Mr Tchiani has expressed readiness to dialogue with the regional bloc.

‘’We have agreed and the leader of our country has given the green light for dialogue. They will now go back and inform the Nigerian president what they have heard from us…(sic),” said Mr Zeine. 

He added, “We hope in the coming days, they (ECOWAS) will come here to meet us to discuss how the sanctions imposed against us will be lifted. ” 

The meeting came after the Niger junta led by Mr Tchiani held ousted President Mohamed Bazoum in detention since his government was toppled on July 26, rebuffing all entreaties and ignoring sanctions and condemnation from ECOWAS and the international communities.

ECOWAS leaders had charged the regional body’s standby force to restore constitutional order in Niger at the second extraordinary summit on the socio-political situation in Niger in Abuja on Thursday. 

This came after Niger’s military junta announced a new government and named Mr Zeine prime minister to lead other 21 new ministers forming the new government.