Nigerian Tribune

Story by Tribune Online •8h

The military junta in Niger has declared its intention to bring high treason and security-related charges against ousted president Mohamed Bazoum.

This is the most recent indication that the junta wants to defy international pressure and keep Bazoum in office.

He has been imprisoned in the palace’s basement since the military overthrew the government around three weeks ago.

Related Posts 2024 Hajj: Start registration of intending pilgrims, CSO charges NAHCON, states NNPCL sponsors 60 petroleum scientists to undergo training at ABU Popular crossdresser, Bobrisky, loses father

Bazoum was in “good spirits” despite being held in “difficult” conditions, his doctor said after a visit.

Saturday’s visit was approved amid growing international demands for Mr Bazoum’s release.

But in a sign that it is hardening its position, the junta said in a statement read out on state TV that it had gathered evidence to prosecute “the deposed president and his local and foreign accomplices for high treason and undermining the internal and external security of Niger”.

It did not give further details.

Bazoum, 63, is being held captive with his wife and son and there were growing concerns about their health.

Gen Abdourahmane Tchiani, the head of the presidential guards unit, declared himself Niger’s new ruler on 26 July after overthrowing him.

The West African regional bloc Ecowas has threatened military action to reverse the coup, but it has so far failed to follow through on its threat.

The coup leaders have warned they will defend themselves against any intervention.

ECOWAS has also imposed sanctions on the junta, including cutting electricity to Niger. This has caused blackouts in the capital Niamey, and other major cities.

On Saturday, a high-powered delegation of Muslim clerics from neighbouring Nigeria met junta leaders in Niamey in a bid to mediate an end to the crisis.

According to Prime Minister Ali Mahamane Lamine Zeine, who was chosen by the junta, meetings with Ecowas “to discuss how the sanctions against us will be lifted” are expected to take place in the near future.

In the midst of an Islamist insurgency and growing Russian involvement in the wider Sahel region through its mercenary outfit Wagner, the coup in Niger was reminiscent of past takeovers in the neighboring Burkina Faso and Mali.

Bazoum managed to write a piece for The Washington Post while he was being held captive, in which he claimed that the coup would have “devastating consequences for our country, our region, and the entire world.”

Bazoum is reported to have lost a “worrying” amount of weight, while his 20-year-old son, who has a chronic medical condition, was also reportedly denied care.

UN human rights chief Volker Turk described the conditions of the detention as inhumane, degrading and in violation of international human rights law.

His daughter Zazia, 34, who was on holiday in France during the coup, told the UK-based Guardian newspaper last week that her father, mother and brother had no clean water or electricity and were living on rice and pasta.

Fresh food was rotting in the fridge because there was no power, she said.

Bazoum has been seen once since he was overthrown, in a photo released after he met Chad’s leader Mahamat Idriss Déby Itno.

Déby met both the junta and Bazoum soon after the coup in a failed bid to resolve the crisis.

READ ALSO FROM NIGERIAN TRIBUNE

Speaker Abbas condemns Zaria killings, seeks immediate investigationHawaii: Death toll of ‘deadliest wildfire of century’ hits 93Niger: Another gamble by the Giant of Africa?I broke my leg on set of Jagun Jagun movie —Adedimeji LateefFLICKERS: Obi, Atiku, Tinubu: Judgment day beckonsEDITORIAL: Nigeria’s FIFA shame Provided by SyndiGate Media Inc. (Syndigate.info).