Bazoum to be tried for treason (CNSP)

Niger’s new authorities who took power late July in a coup are planning to try deposed leader Mohamed Bazoum for treason amid international calls to release the 63-year old man.

“The Nigerien government has gathered the necessary evidence to prosecute the deposed President and his local and foreign accomplices before national and international bodies for crimes of “treason” and “undermining internal and external security,” Amadou Abdourahmane, spokesman for the junta in power said Sunday August 13 in a statement.

The junta branding itself the National Council for the Safeguard of the Homeland (CNSP) deposed Bazoum on July 26 on allegations that he failed to fight terrorism and corruption in the country.

Niger, like most countries in the Sahel has been battling against terrorism activities mostly near its joint borders with Mali and Burkina Faso.

The coup has been condemned by world powers and regional organization ECOWAS which has demanded that the junta reinstates Bazoum or face military action.

The coup however has received support at home, where many believe Bazoum, elected in disputed 2021 elections, is working with foreign powers including France and the U.S. against the nation.

The CNSP has so far surfed the foreign pressure. It appointed on August 9 a transitional Prime Minister and indicated Sunday August 13 that it is ready to consider a diplomatic solution to its stand-off with West African bloc.

The CNSP leader General Abdourahamane Tchiani received on August 12 a group of Muslim religious leaders from neighboring Nigeria who visited Niamey to help defuse the crisis.