Niger: US, ECOWAS slam junta plan to prosecute president Bazoum for ‘high treason’

The United States have expressed great concern and the West African regional bloc ECOWAS condemned on Monday (14 August) Niger’s military rulers’ threats to prosecute detained President Mohamed Bazoum, warning the move would exacerbate tensions.
“We are incredibly dismayed by reports that President Bazoum’s unjust detention has gone even a step further,” State Department spokesman told reporters. The threat by Niger’s National Council for the Safeguard of the Homeland (CNSP) to prosecute Bazoum is ”completely unwarranted and unjustified and candidly, it will not contribute to a peaceful resolution of this crisis.” ECOWAS has said it was shocked to learn of attempts by Niger’s junta to bring charges of high treason against Bazoum, describing the move as “a form of provocation.” Also the United Nations finds the attempt by the putschists to bring charges of high treason against democratically-elected president is “very worrying”, a UN spokesperson Stephane Dujarric said on Monday.
By contrast, some Niamey residents have reportedly welcomed the ruling junta’s plans to prosecute their former president. The possible trial of Bazoum is a hot topic in the capital city, with some residents backing the plan. Coup leader General Abdourahmane Tchiani said in his first televised address the West African country needed to change course to secure its preservation and he and others had decided to intervene to overcome “security, economic and social challenges”. Meanwhile, the US has commended the Nigerian President Tinubu’s efforts leading ECOWAS and backed “maintaining pressure” on Niger’s military leaders, including through sanctions and the deployment of a ‘standby’ military force to reverse the 26 July coup.