Religious Scholars: The Military Council in Niger is Open to Diplomatic Solutions

A number of prominent Islamic religious scholars from Nigeria indicated on Sunday that they have engaged in discussions with the leaders of the military coup in Niger, who have shown openness to resolving the crisis with the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) through diplomatic means rather than conflict. ECOWAS announced on Thursday the activation of a standby military force following the overthrow of Niger's President Mohamed Bazoum, marking the seventh coup in West and Central Africa in three years.