Coup: Niger Junta detains 180 former politicians

By Sola Omoniyi, Lagos

The Niger Junta, which seized control of the nation in a coup last week, has arrested more than 180 former politicians and members of the previously elected administration.

Energy Minister Mahamane Sani Mahamadou, Mines Minister Ousseini Hadizatou, and Nigerien Party for Democracy and Socialism (PNDS) President Foumakoye Gado were among those seized, according to PNDS spokesman Hamid N’Gadé.

The coup plotters also detained Interior Minister Hama Adamou Souley, Transport Minister Oumarou Malam Alma, and his deputy, Kalla Moutari.

According to N’Gadé, the “abusive arrests” were proof of the military’s “repressive, dictatorial, and unlawful behaviour.”

General Omar Tchiani’s elite squad pronounced Niger’s democratically elected president, Mohamed Bazoum of the PNDS, deposed on Wednesday.

Recall, on Friday, Tchiani declared himself to be the new ruler.

The coup plotters suspended the West African country’s constitution and disbanded its nation’s institution.

Internationally, the coup had been denounced.

The West African Community of States (ECOWAS) under the chairman, Nigeria president Bola Ahmed Tinubu, issued an ultimatum to the coup leaders on Sunday, threatening to use force if Bazoum was not released and reinstated within a week.

The military governments of Burkina Faso and Mali advised ECOWAS not to intervene on Monday.

Any military intervention in Niger would be equivalent to declaring war on Burkina Faso and Mali, according to a joint statement issued by the two transitional administrations.

According to them, military involvement might have terrible implications, destabilising the entire sub-region.

Burkina Faso and Mali are also members of ECOWAS.

The European Union (EU) stated on Monday that it welcomed the ECOWAS measures.

According to Borrell, Bazoum is the country’s single head of state, and no other authority can be recognised.

Niger, a former French colony, was regarded as a beacon of democracy in the Sahel area, which had been devastated by Islamist terrorism.