Niger Coup : ECOWAS Mediation Team In Niamey

A few days to the expiration of the one week ultimatum given by ECOWAS Heads of State for the military junta to return power to a civilian rule, all eyes are now turned towards Niamey where a mediation team headed by former Nigerian President, Abdulsalami Abubakar and the influential and highly respected Sultan of Nigeria’s State of Sokoto, Muhammadou Abubakar are meeting with the head of Niger’s military junta Abdourahamane Tchiani. The meeting which many see as the last chance for a peaceful solution to the problem came after the regional bloc threatened to resort to force if by Sunday, power is not returned to the democratically-elected President of Niger, Mohamed Bazoum. The former Nigerian President who is lauded for the peaceful transition of power, is a seasoned international mediator.
Thousands of kilometers from the Niamey talks that began on Wednesday, is a meeting in Abuja of Military chiefs of members of the West African bloc, ECOWAS to strategize on a possible military intervention, “The military option is the very last option on the table, the last resort, but we must prepare for this eventuality, We have to show that we don't just bark, we can also bite.” Abdel-Fatau Musah, ECOWAS Commissioner in charge of political affairs and security,” told Al-Jazeera.
Threats and sanctions have not deterred the military junta under Gener...