Niger coup leaders have vowed to prosecute ousted President Mohammed Bazoum for alleged treason and security risk in the West African country.
This was made known in a statement by the junta’s spokesperson Colonel-Major Amadou Abdramane, read on national television.
Abdramane said the ousted president would be prosecuted for high treason and undermining the internal and external security of Niger.
The junta spokesperson also disclosed that there was a misinformation campaign against the putschists to “derail any negotiated solution to the crisis in order to justify military intervention … in the name of ECOWAS”.
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 26 July.
Last Thursday, the regional bloc approved the deployment of a “standby force to restore constitutional order” in Niger as soon as possible.
It, however, added that it remains committed to finding a diplomatic solution to the crisis.
Bazoum, his wife, and son have been held at the president’s official Niamey residence since the coup, with international concern mounting over their conditions in detention.
Credible News recall that diplomatic efforts to resolve the debacle in Niger Republic got a boost to as the coup leader, General Abdourahmane Tchiani agreed to dialogue with the Economic Community of West African States, ECOWAS.,
The feat was achieved after a meeting with Nigerian Islamic scholars led by the national leader of Jama’atu Izalatil Bid’ah Wa Iqamatus Sunnah, Sheikh Abdullahi Bala Lau in Niger Republic