The Sultan of Sokoto, His Eminence Muhammadu Sa’adu Abubakar III, and Dr. Richard Montgomery, the British High Commissioner to Nigeria, have discussed the possibility of mediating a settlement of the deadlock in the Niger Republic.

When Atinuke Akande-Alegbe, Senior Communications and Public Diplomacy Officer, Foreign Commonwealth and Development Office, British High Commission, Montgomery visited Sokoto State on October 25 and 26, he acknowledged the Sultan’s contributions to fostering religious harmony in Nigeria, particularly through his roles as co-chair of the Nigeria Inter-Religious Council (NIREC) and President-General of the Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA).

They also talked about the circumstances in the Niger Republic and the likelihood of a settlement through mediation.

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The British High Commissioner reportedly declared, “It was an honour to be received by His Eminence the Sultan in Sokoto,” at the conclusion of his tour. We discussed the close and long-standing relationships that exist between the Sultanate of Sokoto and the British Royal Family. We had a thought-provoking conversation about national peace initiatives, interfaith engagement, traditional leadership and social progress, and regional mediation.

“By visiting the exceptional Sokoto Caliphate archives at the Waziri Junaidu History and Culture Bureau, a veritable gold mine for historians, I was also able to broaden my perspective on the state’s historical contributions to Nigeria.”

“I had a stimulating conversation with academics, traditional leaders, and members of civil society who offered their perspectives on problems including the economy, insecurity, and gender equality.

“It was important to pay my respects at the graves of 12 soldiers, Nigerian and British, who gave their lives in the Second World War before Remembrance Day.”