ABUJA: The West African bloc ECOWAS on Monday lashed threats by Niger鈥檚 military rulers to prosecute ousted president Mohamed Bazoum, saying this contradicted the regime鈥檚 declared willingness to resolve the crisis peacefully.
The coup leaders who toppled Bazoum said late Sunday they had gathered evidence enabling them to prosecute Bazoum for 鈥渉igh treason and undermining the internal and external security of Niger.鈥�
This, it said, was based on 鈥渃ontacts鈥� Bazoum had had with 鈥渘ationals... foreign heads of state... (and) officials in international organizations.鈥�
In a statement on Monday, ECOWAS said it had learned of the threats 鈥渨ith stupefaction.鈥�
鈥淚t represents yet another form of provocation and contradicts the reported willingness of the military authorities in the Republic of Niger to restore constitutional order through peaceful means,鈥� the bloc said.
Bazoum, 63, and his family have been held at the president鈥檚 official residence since the coup, with international concern mounting over his conditions in detention.