Niger's junta says it is open to talks, Putin calls for peace

(Patria) - Niger's junta has said it is open to negotiations to resolve the regional crisis caused by last month's military coup, while Russia and the United States have called for a peaceful solution, Reuters reports.

Western powers and democratic African governments have called on the coup leaders to reinstate ousted President Mohamed Bazoum, whom they have held captive since July 26, but the military leaders have refused and rejected negotiation attempts.

West African army commanders will meet on Thursday and Friday in Ghana to prepare for a possible military intervention, which the main regional bloc, the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), has threatened to undertake if diplomacy fails.

"We are in a transition process. We have explained all the details, reiterated our willingness to remain open and to talk with all parties, but we have insisted on the need for the country to be independent," said Ali Mahamane Lamine Zeine, whom the army appointed prime minister last week.

He spoke after a trip and meeting with Chadian President Mahamat Deby, who staged his own coup in 2021.

Russian President Vladimir Putin spoke on Tuesday with Mali's military leader about the recent coup in neighboring Niger, a call likely to raise concerns among Western governments who fear a rise in Russian influence in the West African Sahel region.

Putin "emphasized the importance of a peaceful resolution of the situation for a more stable Sahel," said Mali's interim president Asimi Goita on platform X, formerly known as Twitter.

Pentagon spokeswoman Sabrina Singh said US President Joe Biden's administration is committed to a diplomatic solution and said Niger is a partner it does not want to lose.