Former Niger President Faces Prosecution for High Treason and State Security Breach

In a surprising turn of events, mutinous soldiers in Niger have announced their intent to prosecute the deposed President, Mohamed Bazoum, on charges of “high treason” and undermining the nation’s state security.

This revelation emerged just hours after the junta signaled their willingness to engage in dialogue with West African nations to seek a resolution to the growing regional crisis.

The soldiers, represented by Spokesman Col. Maj. Amadou Abdramane, communicated their decision via state television on Sunday night.

The military regime stated that they have gathered substantial evidence to present before both national and international authorities.

These pieces of evidence, they claim, implicate not only the ousted president but also his associates—both local and foreign—in acts of high treason and the compromise of Niger’s internal and external security.

If proven guilty, Bazoum could potentially face the grave consequence of the death penalty, as stipulated in Niger’s penal code.

The statement released by the regime alleges that prominent West African politicians, along with their international backers, have propagated baseless accusations and hindered the pursuit of a peaceful solution.

These actions, they argue, were aimed at justifying military intervention in the country’s affairs.

While the statement did not explicitly name Western nations, it indicated that the charges against Bazoum stemmed from his interactions with these influential figures. No specific date for the trial has been mentioned thus far.

This recent development plunges the nation into a complex legal and political scenario, further heightening tensions in a region already grappling with a mounting crisis.

As the international community watches closely, the course of action taken by both the military regime and the deposed president’s supporters remains uncertain.