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Tension in Niger continues to mount although reports indicate that the military junta which is in control of the country has indicated their concurrence for a dialogue. In the meantime, the military regime vowed to prosecute ousted president Mohamed Bazoum for “high treason”
Tension in Niger continues to mount although reports indicate that the military junta which is in control of the country has indicated their concurrence for a dialogue. In the meantime, the military regime vowed to prosecute ousted president Mohamed Bazoum for “high treason” and slammed West African leaders for imposing sanctions on the country. However, what was the high treason committed by the deposed president was not mentioned.
The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) imposed sanctions on Niger in response to the coup and has not ruled out using force against the army officers who toppled the democratically elected Bazoum on July 26.
The West African bloc has approved the deployment of a standby force to restore constitutional order in Niger as soon as possible but remains committed to finding a diplomatic solution to the crisis. Niger’s military leaders said they would prosecute Bazoum for high treason and undermining the internal and external security of Niger. Bazoum, 63, and his family have been held at the president’s official Niamey residence since the coup, with international concern mounting over his conditions in detention.
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A member of his entourage said he saw his doctor recently. The doctor raised no problems regarding the state of health of the deposed president and members of his family. They also said sanctions imposed on Niger had made it difficult for people to access medicines, food, and electricity, and were “illegal, inhumane and humiliating”.
A group of religious mediators met with coup leader General Abdourahamane Tiani, who indicated his regime was open to a diplomatic breakthrough. The junta leader said that doors were open to explore diplomacy and peace in resolving the matter. He further said that the coup was well intended and that the plotters struck to stave off an imminent threat that would have affected Nigeria as well as Niger.
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The junta ruler added that it was painful that ECOWAS had issued an ultimatum to restore Bazoum without hearing their side of the matter, the statement added. The Muslim leaders visited Niamey with the blessing of Nigerian President Bola Tinubu, who is also head of ECOWAS. In the meantime, demonstrations in favor of the new military rulers have become a common sight in Niamey.
Thousands of people attended concerts held recently at the Seyni Kountche Stadium in support of the National Council for the Safeguard of the Homeland (CNSP), the generals who have taken power. The crowd, mainly made up of young people, brandished the flags of Niger as well as those of Burkina Faso, Mali, and Russia.
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The prospect of a military intervention to reinstate Bazoum has divided ECOWAS members and drawn warnings from foreign powers including Russia and Algeria. Niger’s neighbors Mali and Burkina Faso, also ruled by military governments who seized power in coups, have said, an intervention would be tantamount to a declaration of war on them.
