The Niger junta has stated that it will charge former President Mohamed Bazoum with high treason because of his interactions with foreign heads of state and international organizations.
According to Reuters, Junta spokesperson Colonel Amadou Abdramane said in a statement read on state TV late Sunday that the military authorities had “gathered the necessary evidence to prosecute the ousted president for high treason and undermining the internal and external security of Niger.”
On August 10, West African leaders escalated their rhetoric against Niger’s coup leaders, ordering the deployment of a regional standby force to restore democracy in the coup-torn country.
The Niger Republic has been in political turmoil since late last month when Bazoum was deposed in a coup by the presidential guard.
Days afterwards, ECOWAS imposed sanctions and issued an ultimatum to the reigning military junta: stand down within a week or face military involvement.
On August 6, the deadline passed with no change in the political situation. ECOWAS officials have stated that they want a diplomatic solution to the problem and would only send troops in as a last resort.
General Abdourahmane Tchiani, the commander of the Niger Junta, has consented to engage in diplomatic talks.
Tchiani made the remarks on Saturday during a meeting with Nigeria’s intervention team, which included Islamic scholars led by Bala Lau, the national chairman of Jamatul Izalatu Bida Waikamatu Sunnah.
Tchiani, according to Niger Republic Prime Minister Ali Zeine, was ready for a dialogue and expressed hope that negotiations with ECOWAS will take place in the coming days.
