Niger's junta-appointed Prime Minister Ali Mahamane Lamine Zeine has reiterated his country is open to talks to resolve the regional crisis stemming from the military takeover, but stressed that the Sahelian nation's "independence" necessitated any dialogue. Zeine made the remark Tuesday when he made his first trip to Chad on behalf of the military council that seized power in a military coup last month. Zeine, whom military leaders appointed prime minister early last week, met with Chad's President Mahamat Deby, who staged his own coup in 2021. Western powers and democratic African governments have called for the coup leaders to reinstate ousted President Mohamed Bazoum, but the junta has refused and rejected attempts at negotiation.