Niger military regime announces to 'prosecute' President Bazoum for 'high treason'

Niger military regime have announced that they would "prosecute" President Mohamed Bazoum under the charges of "high treason" and "undermining the security" of the country. The statement came on August 14, read aloud by the Niger military regime on a national television channel, reported CGTN.  The Niger military overthrew the democratically elected president Mohamed Bazoum in a coup on 26 July.

Notably, this comes after the US diplomat's warning on August 11 who said that they would kill deposed President Mohamed Bazoum if neighbouring countries attempted any military intervention to restore his rule, reported AP. This warning by the US diplomats came shortly before the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) meeting. 

Niger military regime to prosecute President Mohamed Bazoum

In the latest update on the Niger unrest, the Niger military group has announced the prosecution of the deposed president. "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, as per the media report. 

Meanwhile, the ECOWAS West African bloc has directly deployed a “standby force” to restore democracy in Niger after its deadline to reinstate Bazoum expired. Notably, after overthrowing the current democratically elected government president, the former leader of the country's presidential guard, Abdourahamane Tchiani was appointed to lead the National Council for the Safeguard of the Homeland (CNSP). 

CNSP is a governing body the soldiers established after the coup, which has been exercising legislative and executive authority. According to the new association, Bazoum was overthrown due to "the continued deterioration of the security situation" and "poor economic and social governance" in the country.

Further, the tensions in the region have mounted International pressure against leaders of the coup in Niger, reported AP. According to the American secretary of state, the US "stands very much" with West African nations who have threatened to use force to restore the country's democracy. Whereas Senegal has volunteered soldiers to assist. Senegal’s foreign affairs minister said her country would partake in a military intervention if ECOWAS decides to act. “Senegalese soldiers have to go … these coups d’état must be stopped,”said Aissata Tall Sall.