NIAMEY: Niger army regime has said that they will ‘prosecute’ deposed President Bazoum for ‘high treason’, AFP reported on Sunday.
This development comes amid growing concern about his well-being and detention conditions. Mohamed Bazoum was seen by his doctor on Saturday, according to his staff. A member of Bazoum’s staff told AFP that the former president’s doctor paid a visit to him.
Niger Army Regime to ‘Prosecute’ Ousted President for ‘High Treason’
A delegation of Nigerian religious leaders also visited Niger on Saturday for discussions with the military leaders who seized power in a coup last month. The visit comes as West African leaders strive to find a diplomatic resolution to the ongoing crisis while not ruling out the possibility of employing force if necessary.
The group consists of Muslim religious leaders and seeks to mediate between the regional body, the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), and the Nigerien military authorities.
Earlier in the week, the delegation held talks with the President of ECOWAS, Nigerian leader Bola Tinubu, in Abuja, as part of their efforts to facilitate dialogue between ECOWAS and Niger’s military leaders.
Antony Blinken, the US Secretary of State, also expressed grave concern over the refusal of Niger’s military leaders to release the family of the detained president Mohamed Bazoum.
President Mohamed Bazoum’s government was toppled on July 26 when men of his own guard put him and his family under house arrest at the presidency.
Antony Blinken said Niger’s military leaders have declined to release the family of the detained president as a goodwill gesture. The European Union and African Union (AU) on Friday voiced concerns about the detention of Bazoum.
Read Also: 13 Killed in Suspected Boko Haram Attacks in Northeast Nigeria
Earlier, the African bloc ECOWAS had given a week to the coup leaders in Niger to restore the democratic government or face military intervention.
However, the efforts by ECOWAS and the United States to resolve the crisis in the country have failed to make any progress so far.
Niger has played a key role in Western strategies to fight and combat insurgents with the support of France and the United States.
