The declaration was issued mere hours after the junta expressed its willingness to engage in discussions with West African nations in a bid to resolve the ongoing crisis.
Niger’s military, which orchestrated the ousting of President Mohamed Bazoum, has asserted its intention to bring the deposed leader to trial on charges of treason.
This proclamation was conveyed by a spokesperson for the coup on national television, emerging shortly after the junta had extended an invitation for dialogue with West African nations to seek a resolution to the unfolding regional turmoil.
According to Col. Major Amadou Abdramane, “The Nigerien government has compiled substantial evidence to prosecute the former president, along with both domestic and foreign collaborators, before relevant national and international bodies. They are to face charges of high treason and jeopardizing Niger’s internal and external security, based on his interactions with nationals, foreign leaders, and international organizations.”
The announcement further implicated prominent West African political figures and their “overseas sponsors,” attributing unfounded allegations and efforts to disrupt a peaceful resolution to the crisis as a pretext for potential military intervention. The statement underscored that the charges against Bazoum stemmed from his communications with these individuals. The release refrained from specifying the identities of the Western nations involved and did not stipulate a precise trial date.
