The West African bloc ECOWAS on Monday denounced threats made by the military junta of Niger to bring charges against ousted president Mohamed Bazoum, claiming that such threats were in direct opposition to the government’s stated desire to end the conflict amicably.
The coup leaders who overthrew Bazoum, Late on Sunday announced that they had amassed sufficient evidence to bring charges against him for “high treason and undermining the internal and external security of Niger.”
This, it said, was based on “contacts” Bazoum had had with “nationals… foreign heads of state… (and) officials in international organisations.”
In a statement on Monday, ECOWAS said it had learned of the threats “with stupefaction”.
“It represents yet another form of provocation and contradicts the reported willingness of the military authorities in the Republic of Niger to restore constitutional order through peaceful means,” the bloc said.
Bazoum, 63, and his family have been held at the president’s official residence since the coup, with international concern mounting over his conditions in detention.
