The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) imposed sanctions on Niger in response to the coup and has not ruled out using force against the army officers who toppled the democratically elected Bazoum on July 26.
Tiani “claimed the coup was well intended” and that the plotters “struck to stave off an imminent threat that would have affected” Nigeria as well as Niger, according to Lau’s statement.without hearing “their side of the matter”, the statement added.
The bloc has severed financial transactions and electricity supplies and closed borders with landlocked Niger, blocking much-needed imports to one of the world’s poorest countries.On July 30, it issued a seven-day ultimatum to restore Bazoum or face the potential use of force, but the deadline expired without the new rulers backing down.
South Africa Latest News, South Africa Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Niger Junta to Prosecute Detained President for TreasonNiger's junta is ready to consider a diplomatic solution to its stand-off with West African bloc ECOWAS, mediators said on Sunday August 13, 2023. Deutsche Welle reports that a group of senior Nigerian Islamic scholars met with coup leader General Abdourahmane Tchiani in Niamey and quoted him as saying that the junta's doors were "open to explore diplomacy and peace in resolving the matter." The discussion by the Nigerian scholars, led by Sheikh Abdullahi Bala Lau, included an ECOWAS call for reinstating Niger's President Mohamed Bazoum, who was ousted in the July 26 coup. However, AFP is reporting that late on Sunday, the military regime said they would prosecute Bazoum for "high treason" and undermining the internal and external security of Niger. They also slammed West African leaders for imposing sanctions on the country. Bazoum has been detained since being ousted in a military coup on July 26. He received a medical visit on Saturday, reports Deutsche Welle. Bazoum's doctor told Radio France Internationale following the visit: "the president's morale is high." A member of Bazoum's entourage told Agence France-Presse: "He's fine, given the situation." The African Union had expressed its concern at the president's health and called for his "immediate" release. "The president of the Commission [of the African Union] calls for the immediate release of President Bazoum," Commission President Moussa Faki Mahamat said in a statement published on Friday. The European Union and the United Nations have also voiced concern, and the rights group Human Rights Watch called on coup leaders to ensure the safety and well-being of President Bazoum, his family, and others arbitrarily detained. ECOWAS said on Thursday that its forces were on "standby," as it mulled the option of intervening in Niger as the military junta named its new government.
Read more »
Niger coup: President Mohamed Bazoum 'in good spirits' despite detentionNiger's president is in 'good spirits' despite being held in 'difficult' conditions by the junta that deposed him, his doctor has said after a visit.
Read more »
Niger: Detained President Bazoum Seen By DoctorInternational organizations and leaders had condemned the conditions of ousted President Mohamed Bazoum, who was been held in his official residence by Niger's junta. Meanwhile, ECOWAS deferred a Saturday meeting.
Read more »
Concern Grows About Health of Detained Niger PresidentFollowing concerns expressed by human rights groups and others over the health and living conditions of President Mohamed Bazoum of Niger, who has been detained since being ousted in a military coup on July 26, he received a medical visit on Saturday, reports Deutsche Welle. Bazoum's doctor told Radio France Internationale following the visit: "the president's morale is high." A member of Bazoum's entourage told Agence France-Presse: "He's fine, given the situation." The African Union had expressed its concern at the president's health and called for his "immediate" release. "The president of the Commission [of the African Union] calls for the immediate release of President Bazoum," Commission President Moussa Faki Mahamat said in a statement published on Friday. The European Union and the United Nations had also voiced concern, and the rights group, Human Rights Watch, called on coup leaders to ensure the safety and well-being of President Bazoum, his family, and others arbitrarily detained. Moussa Faki also said that the AU supported the West African group of states, ECOWAS, in its dealing with the situation in Niger. ECOWAS said on Thursday that its forces were on "standby," as it mulled the option of intervening in Niger as the military junta named its new government.
Read more »
Niger junta says it will prosecute ousted president for treasonThe military junta that seized power in Niger in a coup last month has said it will prosecute ousted President Mohamed Bazoum for high treason over his exchanges with foreign heads of state and international organisations.
Read more »
Niger coup supporters rally as regional force mulls intervention - SABC NewsThousands rally in Niger's capital, backing recent coup, as regional leaders weigh military intervention to reinstate civilian rule. Demonstrators voice their stance amidst escalating tensions. NigerCoup RegionalResponse
Read more »