In a recent development, mutinous soldiers in Niger have announced their intention to prosecute the deposed President Mohamed Bazoum for alleged “high treason” and undermining the country’s security.
This announcement comes shortly after the soldiers indicated their willingness to engage in discussions with West African nations to address the escalating regional crisis.
The spokesperson for the military regime, Colonel Major Amadou Abdramane, made the announcement on state television.
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They have evidence to this claim
He stated that the military authorities have gathered the necessary evidence to bring forward charges against the ousted president and his associates, both local and foreign.
The charges include high treason and actions that purportedly compromised both internal and external security in Niger.
Bazoum, who was democratically elected as Niger’s president, was removed from office by members of his own presidential guard on July 26.
Since then, he and his family have been placed under house arrest within the presidential compound in Niamey, the capital city.
They took away the basic services
Reports have emerged from individuals close to President Bazoum and his ruling party, alleging that basic services like electricity, water, and food supply have been disrupted.
The military junta, however, has denied these claims, asserting that they are part of a disinformation campaign orchestrated by West African politicians and international partners to undermine their credibility.
The international community has been closely watching this situation, and pressure has been mounting on the junta to release Bazoum and reinstate him as the president. Initially, the West African regional organization ECOWAS issued a seven-day ultimatum for the junta to restore Bazoum to power, backed by the threat of military intervention. However, the deadline passed without any decisive action from either side.
In response to the ongoing crisis, ECOWAS recently ordered the preparation of a “standby” force, although it remains uncertain when or if this force will be deployed into Niger.
Army General makes himself new leader of Niger after coup
In anoher news, Niger elected President, Mohamed Bazoum, was detained in a coup led by the Presidential Guard on Wednesday and on Friday Niger’s putschists named an army general as the new leader.
The former colonial ruler, France, expressed its disapproval of the coup, urging the plotters to respect the democratically-elected president and leave him in office.
General Abdourahamane Tchiani, head of the Presidential Guard since 2011, emerged as the leader of the coup and declared himself the “president of the National Council for the Safeguard of the Homeland.”
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