Niger Junta Says It Will Prosecute Deposed President for Treason

The army junta that seized energy in Niger final month stated over the weekend that it will prosecute the deposed president for treason, whilst an middleman stated coup leaders had been open to talks with West African counties that had threatened to intervene militarily, the primary signal of a thaw after practically three weeks of rising tensions.

Since mutinous troopers detained President Mohamed Bazoum of Niger on July 26, they’ve stored him remoted in his non-public residence in Niamey, the capital, along with his spouse and one in all their sons; dissolved his authorities; and, in response to U.S. officers, vowed to kill him if West African international locations intervened militarily.

On Sunday, the junta member performing as a spokesman, Col. Amadou Abdramane, stated that Mr. Bazoum would face costs of “excessive treason” and “undermining the inner and exterior safety of Niger” after the democratically elected president spoke with international leaders and worldwide organizations whereas in detention.

The coup in Niger final month set off probably the most extreme political crises lately in West Africa, following a sequence of army takeovers in a area already troubled by Islamist insurgencies, a few of the world’s most excessive results of local weather change and widespread poverty.

It has additionally raised questions on the way forward for Western help in Niger, which beneath Mr. Bazoum was a safety ally of nations like the US and a popular recipient of funds from European international locations hoping to stem migration to their continent. Greater than 2,500 Western troops, together with about 1,100 Individuals, are posted in Niger to coach the nation’s army and assist monitor extremist teams affiliated with Al Qaeda and the Islamic State.

A West African regional bloc, the Financial Group of West African States, often known as ECOWAS, has stated it will activate a “standby drive” to intervene in opposition to Niger’s coup leaders if Mr. Bazoum will not be launched and reinstated.

However consultants doubt that the West African international locations, already combating home insecurity and underequipped militaries, might mount a profitable operation in opposition to a Nigerien army that has acquired years of Western coaching. In addition they warn {that a} regional battle might have devastating penalties in an space the place extremist teams have prolonged their grip lately.

President Bola Tinubu of Nigeria, the present chairman of the West African bloc, has stated that drive can be used as a final resort. On Sunday, Niger’s coup leaders stated they had been open to dialogue with the bloc, in response to a spiritual determine from Nigeria who was acquired by the junta chief, Gen. Abdourahmane Tchiani, as a part of mediation talks.

In an indication that the occasions in Niger might have penalties past West Africa, the African Union met on Monday to debate the disaster.

“The African Union is in opposition to using the standby drive for this case, however there shall be no public spat” with West Africa’s bloc, stated Emmanuel Kwesi Aning, a former African Union official and a present head of college on the Kofi Annan Worldwide Peacekeeping Coaching Heart, primarily based in Ghana.

“Undermining it so publicly will destroy the group,” he stated of the West African bloc.

The West African bloc and the U.S. State Division on Monday condemned the junta’s plan to prosecute Mr. Bazoum.

From his non-public residence, Mr. Bazoum has remained in touch with international officers together with the U.S. secretary of state, Antony J. Blinken, in addition to some members of his authorities. Mr. Bazoum has known as on the US to assist restore constitutional order in Niger, writing in an opinion essay revealed earlier this month in The Washington Submit that the army junta was holding him hostage.

Mr. Bazoum additionally advised Human Rights Watch final week that he was with out electrical energy and contemporary meals, and that these detaining him had refused to let his son, who he stated has a coronary heart situation, get medical therapy.

On Sunday, Colonel Abdramane, the junta’s spokesman, stated the brand new authorities had gathered sufficient proof to prosecute Mr. Bazoum primarily based on his communications with international heads of state and worldwide organizations.

He gave no particulars on the allegations, nor a date for a trial. Beneath Niger’s penal code, treason is punishable by demise.

Colonel Abdramane additionally stated that a health care provider had visited Mr. Bazoum and his household on Saturday and had not raised alarms in regards to the household’s well being, a declare that might not be independently verified.

On Sunday, 1000’s of junta supporters thronged the nation’s largest stadium for the second weekend in a row, as a well-liked pro-military singer gave a live performance in tribute to the nation’s new leaders.

Praising the brand new common in energy, the crowds sang “Say Tchiani,” or “We want Tchiani” in Hausa, one of many principal languages spoken in Niger. The tune was as soon as a signature of Mr. Bazoum’s supporters, who chanted “Say Bazoum” throughout his profitable 2020 presidential bid.

There was no point out of the democratically elected president within the stadium’s stands.

Omar Hama Saley contributed reporting from Niamey, Niger, and Eric Schmitt from Washington.