The Military in Niger has said it will prosecute ousted president Mohamed Bazoum in what it called “high treason and undermining the internal and external security” of the country.
President Mohamed Bazoum and his family have been detained in the president official residence since the coup on July 26.
In a statement on Sunday, August 13 on national television, the military said they had gathered enough evidence to charge ousted president Bazoum.
“The Nigerien government has to date, gathered the necessary evidence to prosecute the deposed president and his local and foreign accomplices before the competent national and international authorities for high treason and undermining internal and external security of Niger,” said a statement by the National Council for the Safeguard of the Homeland (CNSP) of Niger, the military council that overthrew the government in July.
The statement from Niger military came just hours after a section of Nigerian Islamic scholars met with Niger’s coup leader Abdourahamane Tchiani in Niamey.
In addition, the announcement said that the general had agreed to hold talks with ECOWAS for restoration of constitutional order.
Also Read: Ruto Calls for Immediate Release of Niger President After Coup
ECOWAS intervention in Niger
The ECOWAS bloc already has stand by military deployed in a bid to restore constitutional order in Niger.
However, some countries have opposed the direction of military deployment stating they will cause more harm.
Other foreign powers such as Russia and Algeria have also issued a warning on deploying military in Niger to restore constitutional order.
Neighboring Mali and Burkina Faso who are also ruled by military governments through coups, have also issued a warning on any intervention in Niger as that would be equal to a declaration of war on them.
Niger Coup leader Abdourahamane Tchiani sent out a delegation on Saturday under his defence chief General Moussa Salaou Barmou, to Guinean capital, Conakry, to thank the leaders for their support.
