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Former Emir of Kano and Central Bank of Nigeria Governor, Muhammadu Sanusi, has met with leader of military junta in Niger Republic, Abdourahmane Tiani.
Sanusi’s meeting came after the military junta declined a scheduled meeting with representatives from the African Union (AU), the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), and diplomats from the United States.
Niger has been in the international spotlight following a military coup that has sent shockwaves through the region for the past few days.
The country’s presidential guard, a group that was supposed to protect democratically elected President Mohamed Bazoum, blockaded the presidential palace.
Soldiers appeared on state TV to announce they had removed the president from power, seized control of the government, and suspended the constitution.
Later, the commander of the guard, Gen. Abdourahmane Tchiani, who also goes by the first name of Omar, emerged as the leader of the coup and declared himself the head of Niger’s transitional government.
The Nigerien junta has justified its actions by claiming that they were in response to the “continuing deterioration of the security situation”, adding that the president’s measures did not go far enough to protect Niger.
The situation in Niger has escalated rapidly since the coup, and Tchiani and his group have not been recognised internationally by any countries as the lawful leaders of the country.
Regional organisations like the African Union (AU) and the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) have both condemned the coup and called for a restoration of constitutional order as part of the prompt international response.
ECOWAS, particularly, has been unequivocal in its response to the coup, suspending ties with Niger and agreeing to immediate financial sanctions.