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..Says use of force is last option
From Aidoghie Paulinus, Abuja
The Federal Government has said it is not aware that the military junta in the Republic of Niger has cut ties with Nigeria.
The Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Adamu Ibrahim Lamuwa, while briefing the diplomatic corps on the steps taken by the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) since the commencement of the crisis, said he was yet to be contacted about the development.
Reports had it that Niger has recalled its envoy to Nigeria and asked the Nigerian Ambassador to Niger to leave the country.
Similarly, the junta reportedly cut ties with Nigeria, the United States and its former colonial master, France.
But Lamuwa said: “I am not yet contacted on the true position of the Ambassador of Niger and Nigerian Ambassador in Niger Republic.”
Asked to comment on the update on the level of discussion between the envoys of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to Niger to mediate on the crisis, Lamuwa stated that discussions were ongoing and it was too early to pre-empt the outcome of the discussions. On the issue of military intervention in Niger, Lamuwa explained that the use of force is the last resort, saying, “for now, mediation.
“Every situation comes with its own solution. And Nigeria has not sent military to Niger.
“We have mediated in Mali, we mediated in Guinea, we are mediating in Burkina Faso, under the umbrella of ECOWAS. And this is exactly what we are doing in Niger. Niger is not different,” the immediate Nigerian Ambassador to Senegal said.
Earlier, Lamuwa told the envoys that subsequent to the military coup led by Gen. Abdourahamane Tchiani in the Republic of Niger on 26th July, 2023, and the illegal detention of the democratically elected and constitutionally installed President Mohamed Bazoum, President, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, in his position as the Chairman of the ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government, has led the organization in efforts aimed at arriving at an agreeable resolution to the crisis.
“He is committed, along with other ECOWAS leaders, to restoring peace and stability to Nigeriens, as well as the right to choose their leaders through transparent and fair elections,” Lamuwa stated.
