The Nigerian president has been saying for some time that the use of force is the last option considered. “No one is interested in war,” he stated in particular Bola Tinubu during his meeting with Islamic clerics this Thursday.
The president then referred to the nine-month transition that took place in his own country in the late 1990s. Bola Tinubu “sees no reason that would stop Niger from doing the same if the military authorities are sincere,” said the press release issued by the presidential office. A small sentence that raises eyebrows since ECOWAS had to deny the idea of a “transitional schedule” while Nigeria was considered as such from the start one of the drivers of a possible intervention Military in Niger.
No turning back
This departure of President Bola Tinubu does not represent a change in the country’s position, if we are to believe the statements of the Nigerian Foreign Minister who spoke on the BBC’s Hausa language channel. Yusuff Tugar reiterated that ECOWAS does not rule out the use of force to end this crisis. On the other hand, he reveals that he met the Algerian foreign minister in Abuja – but the idea of a transition like the one Algeria is defending was not discussed.
On Thursday, President Bola Tinubu made it clear that he is not considering reducing sanctions as long as the Nigerian military continues its actions, which he considers “unacceptable”: “If we don’t threaten them with a big stick, we will .” everyone suffers the consequences. »
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