TheCable

The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has kicked against plans by the military junta in Niger to prosecute ousted President Mohamed Bazoum.

In a statement read out on national television on Sunday, Amadou Abdramane, spokesman of the junta, said Bazoum would be prosecuted for “high treason and undermining the internal and external security” of the country.

After a meeting on Saturday with Nigeria’s intervention team comprising Islamic scholars, Abdourahmane Tiani, leader of the Niger junta, said the military is ready to explore diplomatic dialogue.

He added that it was painful that ECOWAS did not hear the junta’s side of the matter before issuing ultimatums.

Bazoum has been kept hostage at the president’s official residence since the July 26 coup.

The 63-year-old had reportedly lamented his living conditions, saying he was “deprived of all human contact” with no one supplying him with food or medicine.

The ousted president said all the perishable food he was supplied with had since gone bad and he is now forced to eat dry pasta and rice.

Giving an update on the junta’s activities, Abdramane said the president was granted access to his doctors the previous day, adding that he was in fine fettle.

“After this visit, the doctor raised no problems regarding the state of health of the deposed president and members of his family,” he said.

Abdramane also added that “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”.

Reacting to the development on Monday, ECOWAS said the move to prosecute Bazoum contradicted the reported willingness of the junta to restore constitutional order through peaceful means.

“ECOWAS has learnt with stupefaction attempts to bring charges of high treason against H.E. Mohamed BAZOUM, President of the Republic of Niger,” the statement reads.

“ECOWAS condemns this move as 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.

“President Bazoum remains the democratically-elected president of the Republic of Niger recognised by ECOWAS and the international community.

“ECOWAS condemns his illegal detention and calls for his immediate release and reinstatement.”