https://sputnikglobe.com/20230804/nigerien-president-bazoum-in-op-ed-says-hes-been-taken-hostage-by-military-coup-1112380518.html
Nigerien President Bazoum in Op-Ed Says He's Been 'Taken Hostage'
Nigerien President Bazoum in Op-Ed Says He's Been 'Taken Hostage'
Sputnik International
Nigerien President Mohamed Bazoum said in an op-ed for American media that he has been taken hostage by the military coup in the country and called on the US and international community to help restore constitutional order.
2023-08-04T01:03+0000
2023-08-04T01:03+0000
2023-08-08T11:20+0000
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"I write this as a hostage," Bazoum said on Thursday. Bazoum further said the military coup has no justification, and if it succeeds, it will have devastating consequences for Niger, the region, and the entire world. The president of Niger called on the US government and the entire international community to help the country restore constitutional order. He claims the coup plotters falsely claim they acted to protect Niger’s security. White House National Security Council spokesperson John Kirby said on Thursday that the United States believes there is still some time to resolve the situation in Niger through diplomacy. Rebels in Power Denounce Military Pacts With FranceRebels in Niger who came to power after ousting Bazoum have since reportedly denounced several military pacts with France."Faced with France's careless attitude and its reaction to the situation [in Niger], the National Council for the Safeguard of the Homeland decided to scrap the cooperation agreements in the field of security and defence with this state," French media reported, quoting one of the rebels reading out a statement in a televised appearance on a national broadcaster.Rebels have also allegedly vowed to respond "immediately" to any "aggression" by Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).The leaders of the coup in Niger have also ended the mandates of the country's ambassadors to France, Nigeria, Togo and the United States."The functions of the extraordinary and plenipotentiary ambassadors of the Republic of Niger to France, Nigeria, Togo and the United States are terminated," the statement said.Bazoum was removed from power by Niger's presidential guard on July 26. The guard's commander, Gen. Abdourahmane Tchiani, has proclaimed himself the country's new leader.The new Nigerien authorities urged people to protest against France, which had exercised colonial rule over Niger for more than 60 years, and ECOWAS, citing the possibility of their forces' intrusion into the country. The concerns of the coup participants increased last Sunday after ECOWAS said it might use force if Bazoum was not returned to power within a week.
https://sputnikglobe.com/20230802/us-orders-partial-evacuation-of-embassy-staff-in-niger-amid-military-takeover-1112358572.html
https://sputnikglobe.com/20230802/niger-military-takover-guide-to-what-happened-1112338330.html
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niger, nigerien president mohamed bazoum, military takeover in niger, restoring constitutional order
niger, nigerien president mohamed bazoum, military takeover in niger, restoring constitutional order
Nigerien President Bazoum in Op-Ed Says He's Been 'Taken Hostage'
01:03 GMT 04.08.2023 (Updated: 11:20 GMT 08.08.2023) WASHINGTON (Sputnik) - The president of Niger, Mohamed Bazoum, said in an op-ed for American media that he has been taken hostage by the military coup in the country and called on the US and international community to help restore constitutional order.
"I write this as a hostage," Bazoum said on Thursday.
Niger is under attack from a military leadership "that is trying to overthrow our democracy, and I am just one of hundreds of citizens who have been arbitrarily and illegally imprisoned."
Bazoum further said the military coup has no justification, and if it succeeds, it will have devastating consequences for Niger, the region, and the entire world.
The president of Niger called on the US government and the entire international community to help the country restore constitutional order. He claims the coup plotters falsely claim they acted to protect Niger’s security.
White House National Security Council spokesperson John Kirby said on Thursday that the United States believes there is still some time to resolve the situation in Niger through diplomacy.
Rebels in Power Denounce Military Pacts With France
Rebels in Niger who came to power after ousting Bazoum have since reportedly denounced several military pacts with France.
"Faced with France's careless attitude and its reaction to the situation [in Niger], the National Council for the Safeguard of the Homeland decided to scrap the cooperation agreements in the field of security and defence with this state," French media reported, quoting one of the rebels reading out a statement in a televised appearance on a national broadcaster.
Rebels have also allegedly vowed to respond "immediately" to any "aggression" by Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).
"Any aggression or attempted aggression against the State of Niger will see an immediate and unannounced response from the Niger Defence and Security Forces on one of [ECOWAS'] members, with the exception of suspended friendly countries," the media quoted one of the rebels as saying.
The leaders of the coup in Niger have also ended the mandates of the country's ambassadors to France, Nigeria, Togo and the United States.
"The functions of the extraordinary and plenipotentiary ambassadors of the Republic of Niger to France, Nigeria, Togo and the United States are terminated," the statement said.
Bazoum was removed from power by Niger's presidential guard on July 26. The guard's commander, Gen. Abdourahmane Tchiani, has proclaimed himself the country's new leader.
The new Nigerien authorities urged people to protest against France, which had exercised colonial rule over Niger for more than 60 years, and ECOWAS, citing the possibility of their forces' intrusion into the country. The concerns of the coup participants increased last Sunday after ECOWAS said it might use force if Bazoum was not returned to power within a week.
