The West African delegation that arrived in Niamey on Saturday afternoon to try to find a diplomatic solution to the crisis in Niger met the overthrown President Mohamed Bazoum, held prisoner since the July 26 coup, a source said. of ECOWAS.
Bazoum “has morale”, assured this source which specifies that the deposed president “still does not” have electricity. The meeting was confirmed by a journalist from the Nigerien press agency, present at the presidential palace on Saturday afternoon when the delegation visited.
A delegation led by the former Nigerien president
This delegation, led by former Nigerian President Abdulsalami Abubakar, was welcomed at Niamey airport by the Prime Minister appointed by the military who came to power, Ali Mahaman Lamine Zeine.
She also met with some military officials who took power on July 26, detailed the ECOWAS source, without specifying whether the West African emissaries had exchanged with Niger’s new strongman, General Abdourahamane Tiani.
Mr. Abubakar had already traveled to Niamey on behalf of ECOWAS on August 3, but had seen neither General Tiani nor the overthrown president. This diplomatic mediation comes the day after an announcement by the West African organization which said it was ready to use force to restore constitutional order in Niger.