Former Kano Emir, Muhammadu Sanusi II Meets Niger Republic Coup Leader

Malam Muhammadu Sanusi II, the 14th Fulani Emir of Kano State in Nigeria on Wednesday met with the Niger Republic coup leader, Col. Abdulraham Thaini.

The meeting, which according to a report by INDEPENDENT, focused on the way out of the takeover of power by the military junta and political crisis in Niger Republic was held in Niamey, the country’s capital.

The monarch’s meeting with the Niger Republic coup leader came ahead of Thursday’s meeting scheduled by the leaders of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) after the expiration of the seven-day ultimatum issued to the coup plotters to return power to the ousted elected President Mohamed Bazoum.

After seizing power on July 26th and taking President Bazoum hostage, the ECOWAS led by Nigerian President Bola Tinubu had given the Niger coup plotters led by General Abdourahamane Tchiani, seven days to return power to Bazoom or face military action.

The ECOWAS has also imposed sanctions on Niger, including halting all financial transactions and freezing its national assets while the Nigerian government has cut off electricity supply to the country.

However, the one-week ultimatum expired on Sunday but the Niger military leaders have remained adamant as they have cut ties with Nigeria, France and some other countries while warning that any military action against them will amount to a full-blown war.

Meanwhile, the ECOWAS Chairman, President Tinubu had sent a delegation led by former military Head of State, General Abdulsalami Abubakar, to Niger to seek diplomatic means of resolving the Niger problem and return power to democratic but the coup leaders refused to meet with the delegation.