Niger’s putschists open to diplomatic means to resolve the crisis

The military regime in Niger said it is open to resolving the crisis through diplomatic means, the head of a delegation of Nigerian clerics reported on Sunday, the day after his visit to Niamey.

Mr. Bazoum and his family have been held in the basement of his palace in Niamey, the capital of Niger, since the army took power in late July.

Attempts to resolve the crisis through dialogue with ECOWAS have so far been unsuccessful.

The head of a religious delegation of mediators said on Sunday that junta leader General Abdourahamane Tchiani was ready to consider a diplomatic solution with ECOWAS.

In a statement, Sheikh Abdullahi Bala Lau, the leader of Nigeria’s Salafist Izala movement, said General Tchiani had said “their doors are open to explore diplomacy and peace in resolving the issue”.

He also said General Tchiani apologized for avoiding previous ECOWAS delegates.