Muslim clerics storm Niger, meet Junta PM
A delegation of religious leaders from Nigeria have met with the newly appointed Prime Minister of Niger, Ali Mahaman Lamine Zeine in Niger’s capital of Niamey.
The delegation met on Saturday amid ongoing efforts to find a diplomatic resolution to the crisis.
“The clerics are in Niamey to explain to the junta leaders that Nigeria is not fighting Niger and that the decisions taken on Niger are not Nigeria’s but those of ECOWAS as a regional bloc,” a source close to the delegation told AFP.
The meeting aims to ease tension between Nigeria and Niger following regional bloc ECOWAS’ announcement that it would be mustering a “standby” military force to intervene in Niger as a last resort. In Niger, Nigeria is perceived as the arrow head of this invasion.
Meanwhile, Nigerien President Mohamed Bazoum, who has been detained since being ousted by members of his guard last month, was seen by his doctor Saturday, his entourage said, amid rising concerns for his health.
The president “had a visit by his doctor today”, a member of his entourage told AFP, adding the physician also brought food for Bazoum, his wife and son who are being held with him.
“He’s fine, given the situation,” the source added.
