A delegation from the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) traveled to Niger to begin negotiations with the putschists following the July 26 coup. This delegation is led by former Nigerian President Abdulsalami Abubakar, a respected man who played a key role in Nigeria’s democratic transition in 1999. Alongside Abubakar is also the Sultan of Sokoto, a religious and political figure in prominent in Nigeria.
Abdulsalami Abubakar previously served as army chief and succeeded General Sani Abacha as head of the country. He then organized multi-party elections and transferred power peacefully to President-elect Olusegun Obasanjo in 1999. At 81, he still chairs the National Committee for Peace in Nigeria, which among other things oversees the smooth running of elections in the country. .
The Sultan of Sokoto, Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar III, is also a key member of this ECOWAS delegation. Before becoming sultan, he also served in the Nigerian army and took part in military operations across West Africa. The Sultan of Sokoto is the spiritual leader of the Qadiriyya Sufi order and chairs the Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs in Nigeria. His solid military experience, his role as a religious leader and his cultural proximity to Niger make him a major asset for these negotiations.
This visit by the ECOWAS delegation to Niger marks a first since the coup d’etat, and bears witness to the efforts made by the regional organization to resolve the political crisis in the country. Discussions with the putschists are aimed at finding a peaceful solution and restoring constitutional order in Niger. It is hoped that the presence of high-profile figures like Abdulsalami Abubakar and the Sultan of Sokoto will help facilitate the negotiations and find a compromise acceptable to all parties involved.
However, the situation remains tense and the return to political stability is a major challenge for Niger. It will take an open and constructive dialogue between political actors and civil society to overcome differences and achieve a lasting solution.
In conclusion, the presence of the ECOWAS delegation led by Abdulsalami Abubakar and the Sultan of Sokoto in Niger to negotiate with the putschists is a positive sign in the search for a peaceful resolution to the political crisis. Their experience and political and religious influence are valuable assets in this mediation process. It is now essential that all parties involved show goodwill and compromise to find a solution that guarantees stability and constitutional order in the country