Niger’s ousted President Mohamed Bazoum has been seen for the first time since the military detained him after staging a coup last week.
Mohamed Bazoum met Chad’s leader Mahamat Idriss Déby Itno in Niger’s capital, Niamey.
Mr. Déby is spearheading mediation efforts to end the crisis after West African leaders gave the junta a seven-day deadline to give up power or risk military action.
He also met the head of the junta Gen Abdourahmane Tchiani
Gen Abdourahmane Tchiani, the head of the presidential guards unit, declared himself Niger’s new ruler on Friday.
Mr. Déby said his mediation effort was aimed at finding a “peaceful solution to the crisis which is shaking” Niger, which borders Chad.
He did not give further details, but his office released a photo of him sitting next to a smiling Mr Bazoum.
Mr. Déby was sent to Niger by leaders of the West African regional bloc, Ecowas, who said on Sunday that the junta had a week to return power to the elected president.
The regional bloc would “take all measures necessary to restore constitutional order” if its demands were not met.
“Such measures may include the use of force,” and military chiefs were to meet “immediately” to plan for an intervention, a statement added.
BBC
