The leaders of the military coup in Niger Republic have announced their intention to prosecute deposed President Mohamed Bazoum.
The charges against him are “high treason and undermining the internal and external security” of the country.
Following the coup on July 26, Bazoum, aged 63, had been confined to the president’s official residence.
A statement by Amadou Abdramane, the junta’s spokesperson, disclosed that Bazoum had been allowed to consult with his doctors. He was reported to be in good health.
“After this visit, the doctor raised no problems regarding the state of health of the deposed president and members of his family,” he said.
“The Nigerien government has to date, gathered the necessary evidence to prosecute the deposed president. As well as his local and foreign accomplices. They will be prosecuted before the national and international authorities for high treason and undermining internal and external security of Niger”.
Junta open for dialogue
On Sunday, the military junta conveyed to an Islamic delegation from neighboring Nigeria that they are willing to engage in dialogue and seek a diplomatic solution to the ongoing crisis.
This comes in the backdrop of economic sanctions imposed by the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).
“We have agreed. The leader of our country has given the green light for dialogue,” said Ali Mahamane Lamine Zeine, Niger’s prime minister, who was recently appointed to the position by the junta.
“They (Muslim delegation) will now go back and inform the Nigerian President what they have heard from us. We hope in the coming days, ECOWAS will come here to meet us to discuss how the sanctions imposed against us will be lifted.”
The junta expressed that the sanctions imposed by ECOWAS have resulted in challenges for the population. This includes limited access to medicines, food, and electricity.
In response to this situation, ECOWAS recently decided to deploy a standby force to Niger. This is aimed at restoring constitutional order in the country.