The National Missioner, Ansar-ud-Deen Society, Abdurrahman Ahmad, has stated that the leadership of the Niger Junta wants to negotiate with the Economic Community of West African States from a position of power.
He stated this on Channels Television’s Sunrise Daily breakfast programme on Tuesday.
On Sunday, the cleric was part of the Nigerian Islamic delegation that met with the Niger junta commanded by General Abdourahamane Tiani.
Immediately following the meeting, the leaders of the coup pledged to prosecute Bazoum, who was deposed on July 26, 2023.
Ahmad stated that the meeting with the coup leaders would not be a one-time occurrence.
He stated that the threat to prosecute Bazoum “came to us as diplomatis” and that “this is a time when everyone will be putting their bargaining chips on the table.”
Ahmad told Tchiani that his government was prepared for negotiations with the Islamic delegation.
“As far as I’m concerned, they want to be negotiating from a position of relative strength, not absolute weakness.
“The way I see the people, the way we interacted with them, I believe that they would not and they cannot afford to renege on their promise and commitment.
“Of course, this is why the President, (Bola Tinubu), also has graciously approved the continuing contact, diplomatic effort with them.”
Ahmad stated that the Islamic delegation would continue to engage the coup leaders and “persuade them not to prosecute Bazoum.”
