Chad’s president holds talks with Niger’s coup leaders, ousted president

By James Tasamba

KIGALI, Rwanda (AA) - Chad’s transition President Mahamat Idriss Deby on Monday said that he held talks with Gen. Abdourahmane Tchiani, the commander of Niger’s presidential guard who declared himself the head of a transitional government after last week’s military coup.

Deby also met with Niger’s deposed President Bazoum Mohamed and former head of state Issoufou Mahamadou in Niger’s capital Niamey.

“I had in-depth exchanges with the leaders of the National Council for the Safeguarding of the Homeland (CNSP), including General Abdourahamane Tchiani, with President Mohamed Bazoum and former President Mahamadou Issoufou in a fraternal approach that aims to explore all avenues in order to find a peaceful solution to the crisis shaking th is neighboring country,” Deby said on Twitter.

According to analysts, talks are significant in preventing the escalation of the crises.

The Chadian president on Sunday also met with Nigeria’s President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, who is also the head of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).

On Sunday, ECOWAS ordered the coup leaders to reinstate the deposed President within one week, otherwise, it would “take all measures,” including the “use of force” to restore constitutional order in Niger.