An Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) delegation left Niger without meeting with the leader of the junta that seized power in a recent coup, a team member confirmed on Friday.

The delegation, led by former Nigerian president Abdulsalami Abubakar, had arrived in the capital Niamey on Thursday, but their scheduled meeting with coup leader Abdourahamane Tiani or deposed President Mohamed Bazoum did not take place.

ECOWAS, with Nigeria currently holding the rotating presidency, has been closely monitoring the political situation in Niger following the coup.

The regional bloc imposed sanctions on the coup leaders and demanded the swift restoration of President Mohamed Bazoum to power. The delegation’s intended purpose was to present ECOWAS’s demands to the junta and attempt to find a peaceful resolution to the crisis.

However, amidst rising tensions, the situation remains delicate. Nigerian President Bola Tinubu expressed the bloc’s commitment to resolve the crisis amicably, but ECOWAS also warned that it might consider military intervention as a last resort to ensure a resolution.

In response to the growing pressure, Niger’s junta issued a stern warning, stating that any aggression or attempted aggression against the State of Niger would be met with an immediate and unannounced response from the Niger Defence and Security Forces, directed towards one of the ECOWAS member states.

The situation in Niger has garnered regional and international attention, with concerns over the stability of the country and the potential impacts on neighboring states. ECOWAS, being a regional powerhouse, plays a critical role in addressing the political crisis and finding a path towards stability and restoration of democratic governance.

The absence of a meeting between the ECOWAS delegation and the coup leader raises questions about the junta’s willingness to engage in dialogue and find a peaceful resolution to the current situation. It also poses challenges to the bloc’s efforts to mediate and ensure a swift return to civilian rule.

As the situation continues to evolve, the international community will closely monitor the actions of both the junta and ECOWAS. Diplomatic efforts will be crucial in navigating through this crisis and finding a solution that prioritizes the interests of the people of Niger and the region as a whole.

While the threat of military intervention looms, the hope remains that dialogue and negotiation will prevail, ultimately paving the way for a peaceful and democratic transition of power in Niger. However, the future remains uncertain, and the actions taken by both parties in the coming days will be pivotal in determining the course of events.

The ECOWAS delegation’s departure without achieving its intended objective underscores the complexity of the situation, and the challenges that lie ahead in resolving the political impasse and restoring stability in Niger.