Mali’s military leader and interim president, Assimi Goita, had a telephone conversation with Russian President Vladimir Putin on Tuesday about the escalating situation in Niger, amid growing concerns in the West that Africa’s latest coup undermines its influence while presenting an opportunity to expand Russia’s presence in the West African region. The Kremlin said Mali’s […]
Tag: Niger
Niger recalls ambassador to Cote d’Ivoire for consultation
The National Council for the Safeguarding of the Country, the junta in power in Niger, recalled Monday August 14 the country’s Ambassador to Cote d’Ivoire in reaction to the Ivorian leader’s push for military intervention to restore deposed leader Mohamed Bazoum. The decision followed recent remarks by Ivorian President Alassane Ouattara that indicated his “eagerness” […]
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 […]
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 […]
Niger: as ECOWAS force on ‘standby’ for intervention, coup leaders open to talks, say mediators
Talks between a delegation of senior Nigerian Islamic scholars and the Niger’s coup leaders in Niamey have been “constructive” and the latter are open to diplomacy to resolve a standoff with West Africa’s regional bloc, ECOWAS, the Nigerian religious leaders said on Sunday (13 August). In a sign the ECOWAS bloc is still pushing for […]
West African leaders to meet this August 10 for key Summit on Niger as Russia provides support
Leaders from West African bloc ECOWAS will meet on Thursday August 10 for an emergency Summit on the coup in Niger after the military intervention threat becomes weak and amid support from Russia for peaceful resolution of the crisis. Nigeria-led ECOWAS on July 30 gave August 6 deadline for the junta in Niger to restore […]
Junta in Niger appoints transitional Prime Minister
The National Council for the Safeguard of the Homeland (CNSP), the new leadership in Niger, appointed Monday former Finance Minister Ali Mahamane Lamine Zeine as the country’s transitional Prime Minister. Zeine served as Finance minister under Mamadou Tandja, who led the country from 1999 to 2010 after return to civilian rule. The 58-year-old politician and […]
Niger junta closes airspace as ECOWAS appears divided on military intervention
Niger’s coup leaders have closed the country’s airspace, thus further escalating regional tensions after the coup two weeks ago, but support for ECOWAS military intervention to reinstate ousted President Mohamed Bazoum seems to be waning, revealing differences of opinion among the 15 West African member states on how to proceed. Niger’s airspace has been closed […]
Niger’s deposed ex-president calls on West for help, as junta threatens to respond to any ‘aggression’
Elected Niger President Mohamed Bazoum has called on “the US government and the entire international community to help us restore our constitutional order,” as the newly installed junta announced they were scrapping military pacts with France and warned to respond ‘immediately’ to any ‘aggression’ by the West Africa bloc. In a column entitled ‘My Country […]
Junta in power in Niger vows immediate response to any aggression by ECOWAS
The National Council for the Safeguarding of the Country, the junta in power in Niger, said Thursday August 3 it would respond immediately to any “aggression or attempted aggression” against it by West African countries to restore elected leader Mohamed Bazoum. “Any aggression or attempted aggression against the State of Niger will see an immediate […]








