Leaders of the Niger Republic coup allegedly told a prominent US diplomat that they would kill deposed President Mohamed Bazoum if neighbouring countries tried military action to restore his government.
According to the Associated Press (AP), the junta revealed this to two western officials on Thursday, shortly before ECOWAS announced the deployment of a standby force.
AP reports that representatives of the junta informed US Under Secretary of State Victoria Nuland of the threat against Bazoum during her visit to the republic this week, a Western military official said, on condition of anonymity due to the sensitivity of the matter.
Former US State Department official specialising in African issues, now the Director of Strategic Stabilisation Advisors, Aneliese Bernard, said threats from both sides raise tensions, but should push them closer to dialogue
She stated “Still, this junta has escalated its moves so quickly that it’s possible they do something more extreme, as that has been their approach so far.”
The proceedings of the 2nd extraordinary summit on Thursday, to address the Niger crisis, had announced the deployment of ECOWAS standby force and condemned the conditions in which Bazoum and his family have been detained.
The proceedings also stated that measures agreed upon by the extraordinary summit on 30th July, 2023 will be upheld.
Frances Ibiefo
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