Niger’s military regime will ‘prosecute’ President Bazoum for ‘high treason’

Niamey, The Gulf Observer: Niger’s coup leaders that toppled Mohamed Bazoum said they would “prosecute” the deposed president for “high treason” and “undermining the security” of the country, in a statement read out on national television.

“The Nigerien government has so far gathered… evidence to prosecute the deposed president and his local and foreign accomplices before the competent national and international bodies for high treason and undermining the internal and external security of Niger,” said Colonel-Major Amadou Abdramane.

Earlier on Sunday, head of a religious delegation of mediators said that the leader of military junta is ready to consider a diplomatic solution to the country’s stand-off with the West African bloc ECOWAS.

The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) 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.

ECOWAS has not ruled out using force against the army officers who toppled Niger’s elected leader Mohamed Bazoum on July 26.

Coup leader General Abdourahamane Tiani “said their doors were open to explore diplomacy and peace in resolving the matter”, said Sheikh Bala Lau, a day after his Nigerian Muslim delegation held talks in the capital Niamey.