U.S. President Joe Biden has cordially invited Nigerian
President Bola Tinubu to engage
in discussions concerning the political impasse
in Niger Republic. This meeting is set to take place on the fringes of the 78th
United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) session in September.
This invitation comes in response to the coup d’état on July
26, which led to the removal of President Mohamed Bazoum by the Nigerien
military. The global community, including the United States, has condemned this
coup.
According to a statement from President Tinubu’s media
advisor, Ajuri Ngelale, Biden expressed interest in conversing with the
Nigerian leader about how Nigeria and the United States can collaborate to aid
the reinstatement of democracy in Niger.
The invitation from Biden to Tinubu was relayed on a Saturday
when the U.S. Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs, H.E. Mrs. Molly
Phee, held separate meetings with President of the ECOWAS Commission, H.E. Dr.
Omar Alieu Touray, and its chair, President Bola Tinubu. Their discussions
encompassed strategies to reestablish democratic governance in Niger and other
diplomatic matters.
During these discussions, Tinubu conveyed to the U.S.
delegation that the conflict in Niger is incongruent with his economic reforms.
However, he assured them that diplomatic channels would be employed to
reinstate democracy in the country.
This information was shared through the Facebook pages of the
Economic Community of West Africa States (ECOWAS) and Ajuri Ngelale, who serves
as the Special Adviser to Tinubu on media and publicity.
At the ECOWAS Commission Headquarters in Abuja, the U.S.
diplomat was briefed on the latest endeavors of the organization aimed at
reinstating democratic governance in Niger.
Phee confirmed that the U.S. will support peaceful
resolutions to the political crisis that unfolded after President Mohamed
Bazoum was ousted by the junta.
At the presidential villa, Tinubu affirmed that the turmoil
in Niger Republic would not adversely impact his economic reform program for
Nigeria. He emphasized his commitment to seeking a peaceful resolution through
diplomatic means, despite the readiness of ECOWAS for various options. He
stressed the importance of defending democracy while advocating against
insincere delays.
Tinubu also recommended a concerted effort to align U.S.
policy with independent African democracies, especially when they are under
threat from anti-democratic elements both within and outside the continent.
In response, the U.S. diplomat extended an exclusive
invitation from President Joe Biden to President Tinubu to meet on the
sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly in New York City in late
September. The purpose of this meeting is to further advance discussions on
enhancing economic collaboration and investment between the U.S. and Nigeria.
Tinubu expressed his acceptance of the invitation and
emphasized that the work of perfecting democracy is a continuous endeavor, even
in developed democracies like the United States.
In summation, this development signifies the dedication of
both leaders to foster stronger economic ties and reinforce democratic values
within the region and beyond.
