Engage In Dialogue, Stop Imposing Sanctions On Niger - Sultan’s Islamic Council Tells ECOWAS

Sultan of Sokoto

The Nigeria Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA) has urged the  Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) to engage in a dialogue with the Niger Republic instead of imposing sanctions to restore democracy in the country.

Recall that ECOWAS had on Tuesday resolved to impose financial sanctions on individuals and entities believed to be supporting the military junta in the West African country.

The sanctions are the latest in the list of strict measures that ECOWAS chaired by President Bola Tinubu, has imposed to coerce the military junta in Niger to reinstate deposed President Mohamed Bazoum.

In a statement on Wednesday issued by its Deputy Secretary-General, Salisu Shehu, the NSCIA said the sanctions on the neighbourhouring country are counter-productive and may eventually end in futility.

The NSCIA, led by the Sultan of Sokoto, Muhammad Abubakar, advised ECOWAS to engage in dialogue, adding that the plan to use military force to dislodge the military leaders will not be to the benefit of anyone.

The NSCIA also stated its opposition The Islamic council acknowledged that the coup leaders were defiant in their stance but called for dialogue in dealing with them.

The Sultan of Sokoto had been part of an ECOWAS delegation to Niger led by the former military Head of State, Abdulsalami Abubakar, to negotiate with the country’s military junta.

However, the meeting was unproductive as the junta declined entreaties by the delegation.