Headlines
Niger junta to prosecute deposed President Bazoum, others for treason
The now-ruling National Council for the Safeguard of the Homeland (CNSP) of Niger Republic says it will prosecute deposed President Mohamed Bazoum and his accomplices for high treason.
Col. Amadou Abdramane, the spokesperson for the CNSP who announced the decision in a televised broadcast at the weekend, also denied the allegation of Bazoum’s daughter that her father was being deprived of food and has no access to a doctor.
He said the sanctions imposed by Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Heads of State also apply to pharmaceuticals.
The CNSP maintained that it was ready to respond to any external attacks against its country.
It claimed that it had identified the Trojan horse of the old regime who spread false information to discredit the ruling junta and reserves the right to sue them before the competent courts.
It said former Issoufou Mahamadou’s announced trip is part of the intoxication and misinformation campaign.
Meanwhile, Gen. Abdourahamane Tchiani, leader of Niger junta had said the coup was meant to avert an imminent threat that would have affected not only the Niger Republic but also Nigeria.
According to Tchiani, it was painful to the coup leaders that the Economic Community of West African States, ECOWAS Heads of State and Government leaders did not hear their side of the matter before issuing an ultimatum to them to quit office.
Speaking when he received Nigeria’s intervention team, comprising prominent Islamic scholars in the country in Niamey at the weekend, the coup leader and the Nigerian team agreed to intensify the option of dialogue in resolving the political crisis in his country.
A statement by the leader of the Islamic Ulamma, Sheik Bala Lau, stated that General Tchiani, who accorded the team warm reception, welcomed their intervention.
According to the statement, the military leader said their doors are open to explore diplomacy and peace in resolving the matter.
He apologised for not according to the team sent by President Bola Tinubu, led by former Head of State, General Abdulsalami Abubakar (rtd), the required attention because they were angry about the ECOWAS ultimatum.
While tracing historical ties between the two nations, he said Niger Republic and Nigeria are not only neighbours but also brothers and sisters who should resolve issues amicably.
The statement explained that the Islamic Ulammas met with General Tchiani for several hours in Niamey during which they deliberated on all the issues, including the demand by ECOWAS leaders that former President Bazoum be reinstated.
Bala Lau, National Chairman of Jamatul Izalatu Bida Waikamatu Sunnah, said the clerics were in Niger on behalf of President Bola Tinubu who accepted their request to intervene.
Sheik Lau said the team had earlier told President Tinubu who is also the Chairman of the Authority of ECOWAS Heads of State and Government that their position was that the political impasse in Niger is resolved through dialogue.
He, therefore, told General Tchiani that the visit to Niger was to engage in constructive dialogue to encourage him and other military leaders behind the coup to toe the path of peace, instead of war, to resolve the crisis.
Speaking with journalists in Niamey after the meeting, another member of the intervention team and Chief Missioner of Ansar-ud-deen Society of Nigeria, Sheik Ahmad Abdulrahman, said contrary to reports in some sections of the media, the team was well received by General Tchiani and both parties had fruitful discussions.
He said: “We will now go back home and report to President Tinubu what we have discussed and press it on him that war is not an option in resolving the political crisis in his country.
