The military generals who have seized power in Niger said they plan to prosecute ousted president Mohamed Bazoum for alleged treason and security risks.
Niger's military leaders said they would prosecute Bazoum "for high treason and undermining the internal and external security of Niger", according to a statement read on national television late Sunday night by Colonel-Major Amadou Abdramane.
Abdramane also said there was a misinformation campaign against the junta to try to "derail any negotiated solution to the crisis in order to justify military intervention ... in the name of Ecowas".
The Economic Community of West African States (Ecowas) imposed sanctions on Niger in response to the coup and has not ruled out using force against the army officers who toppled democratically elected Bazoum on 26 July.
The West African bloc has approved the deployment of a "standby force to restore constitutional order" in Niger as soon as possible, but says it remains committed to finding a diplomatic solution to the crisis.
Bazoum, his wife and adult son have been held at the president's official Niamey residence since the coup, with international concern mounting over their conditions in detention.
A member of his entourage said Bazoum saw his doctor on Saturday.
"After this visit, the doctor raised no problems regarding the state of health of the deposed president and members of his family," the military said.
They also said sanctions imposed on Niger had made it difficult for people to access medicines, food and electricity, and were "illegal, inhumane and humiliating".
'Open to diplomacy'
The comments came hours after religious mediators from Nigeria met with coup leader General Abdourahamane Tiani, who indicated his regime was open to diplomacy.
Tiani "said their doors were open to explore diplomacy and peace in resolving the matter", said Sheikh Bala Lau, a day after his delegation held talks in the capital, Niamey.
Tiani "claimed the coup was well intended" and that the plotters "struck to stave off an imminent threat that would have affected" Nigeria as well as Niger, according to Lau's statement.
But Tiani said it was "painful" that Ecowas had issued an ultimatum to restore Bazoum without hearing "their side of the matter", the statement added.
The Muslim leaders visited Niamey with the blessing of Nigerian President Bola Tinubu, who is also head of Ecowas.
Tinubu has adopted a firm stance against the coup, the sixth to hit an Ecowas member state since 2020.
The bloc has severed financial transactions and electricity supplies and closed borders with landlocked Niger, blocking much-needed imports to one of the world's poorest countries.
On 30 July, it issued a seven-day ultimatum to restore Bazoum or face the potential use of force, but the deadline expired without the new rulers backing down.
Public demonstrations
Demonstrations in favour of the new military rulers have become a common sight in Niamey.
Thousands of people attended concerts on Sunday at the Seyni Kountche Stadium in support of the National Council for the Safeguard of the Homeland (CNSP) – the military council established by the officers who have taken power.
The crowd, mainly made up of young people, brandished the flags of Niger as well as those of Burkina Faso, Mali and Russia.
The prospect of a military intervention to reinstate Bazoum has divided Ecowas members and drawn warnings from foreign powers including Russia and Algeria.
Niger's neighbours Mali and Burkina Faso, also ruled by military governments who seized power in coups, have said an intervention would be tantamount to a declaration of war on them.
(with AFP)
