Pope Francis called on Sunday for a peaceful and diplomatic solution to the crisis in Niger, where the military seized power in July, threatening stability in Africa’s Sahel region.
“I follow with concern what is happening in Niger and I join the call of the bishops for peace in the country and for stability in the Sahel,” said the leader of the Catholic Church after the Sunday Angelus prayer, in Saint Vatican . CITY.
Francis added that he joins “in prayer the efforts of the international community to find a peaceful solution as soon as possible for the good of all.”
To the thousands of faithful gathered in Saint Peter’s Square, the Pope asked them to pray for the “dear people of Niger” and for “all the populations wounded by wars and violence”, in particular those of the Ukraine, who “suffer for a long time”, since Russia invaded the country more than a year ago.
In Niger, a military junta ousted President Mohamed Bazoum on July 26, becoming the fourth West African country to be the target of a coup since 2020.
General Abdurahamane Tiani, who chairs the National Council for the Safeguarding of the Homeland, which has ruled Niger since the coup, said on Saturday that he is receptive to any dialogue that respects the aspirations of the Nigerian people and denied the intention to “confiscate the can”.
Abdurahamane Tiani considered “illegal and inhumane” the sanctions imposed by the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), which threatens military intervention to restore constitutional order in Niger if diplomatic channels fail.
Two Portuguese-speaking countries are part of ECOWAS, Cape Verde, which rejects military intervention, and Guinea-Bissau, which will respect “all the options” of the organization.
Source: TSF
