© Reuters. FILE PHOTO: Niger’s President Mohamed Bazoum addresses the 77th Session of the United Nations Basic Meeting at U.N. Headquarters in New York Metropolis, U.S., September 22, 2022. REUTERS/Mike Segar/File Photograph
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By Abdel-Kader Mazou
NIAMEY (Reuters) -The army junta that seized energy in Niger in a coup final month has mentioned it should prosecute ousted President Mohamed Bazoum for top treason over his exchanges with international heads of state and worldwide organisations.
The coup leaders have imprisoned Bazoum and dissolved the elected authorities, drawing condemnation from world powers and West Africa’s regional bloc ECOWAS, which determined final week to assemble a standby army drive that would intervene to reinstate Bazoum.
At stake is not only the destiny of Niger – a serious uranium producer and Western ally within the battle towards an Islamist insurgency – but in addition the affect of rival world powers with strategic pursuits within the area.
Junta spokesperson Colonel Amadou Abdramane mentioned in a press release learn out on state TV late on Sunday that the army authorities had “gathered the required proof to prosecute the ousted president…for top treason and undermining the inner and exterior safety of Niger”.
Residents of Niamey, lots of whom have been deeply disillusioned with Bazoum’s authorities and are supporting the coup leaders, mentioned they backed the prosecution of the deposed president.
“This comes as no shock given that you’ve got heard the varied declarations and appeals (he made) to the worldwide neighborhood not ony to impose sanctions but in addition to intervene militarily on Niger’s territory,” mentioned Illiassou Boubacar.
“However what we wish is for it to be carried out in response to the rule ebook, respecting all procedures and hiring magistrates with the abilities required to do the job,” he mentioned.
Mucahid Durmaz, Senior West Africa Analyst in danger intelligence firm Verisk (NASDAQ:) Maplecroft, mentioned the junta needed to decrease Bazoum’s legitimacy and dissuade international powers from making an attempt to reinstate him.
“The prosecution of Bazoum will possible drive ECOWAS to melt its stance towards the junta and concentrate on establishing a transitional deal to permit for a return to democratic governance,” he mentioned.
ECOWAS didn’t reply to a request for touch upon the introduced prosecution.
“MISINFORMATION”
Abdramane, the junta spokesperson, additionally mentioned there was a misinformation marketing campaign towards the junta to attempt to “derail any negotiated resolution to the disaster as a way to justify army intervention … within the title of ECOWAS”.
The junta rebuffed a number of diplomatic missions within the first two weeks after the coup, although it has signalled a possible willingness to have interaction since ECOWAS mentioned it could “activate” standby troops for doable use in Niger.
The ECOWAS parliament on Saturday mentioned it needed to ship a committee to satisfy the junta in Niamey, however the proposed timing of that mission shouldn’t be clear.
The African Union, the European Union, america and the United Nations have all mentioned they’re fearful in regards to the situations through which Bazoum is being stored.
Bazoum’s political celebration has mentioned his household has no entry to operating water, contemporary meals or medical doctors, and Bazoum instructed Human Rights Watch that his son wanted to see a physician due to a severe coronary heart situation.
However the junta mentioned on Sunday that Bazoum was repeatedly seeing his physician and that the final go to was on Aug. 12.
“After this go to the physician raised no issues in regards to the state of well being of the ousted president and members of his household,” Abdramane mentioned.
The Peace and Safety Council of the 55-nation African Union was assembly on Monday to debate the scenario in Niger, an indication of the extent of concern over the doable fallout from West and Central Africa’s seventh coup in three years.
U.S., French, German and Italian troops are stationed in Niger, in a area the place native associates of al Qaeda and Islamic State have killed hundreds and displaced tens of millions.
In the meantime, Russian affect has grown as insecurity will increase, democracy erodes, and leaders search new companions to revive order.
Western powers concern Russia’s clout might enhance if the junta in Niger follows Mali and Burkina Faso, which ejected the troops of former colonial energy France after coups in these international locations.