The junta in the Niger Republic has threatened to execute the country’s deposed president, Mohamed Bazoum, if the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) sends in the military to restore order.
According to a Thursday AP report, two unnamed “Western officials” said the putschists made the threat to a high-ranking American envoy.
ECOWAS reportedly ordered the deployment of a backup force to restore democracy in Niger after hearing threats like this from the country’s military authorities.
The world is rushing to broker a peaceful end to the country’s leadership dilemma.
During her visit to the country this week, U.S. Under Secretary of State Victoria Nuland was informed of the threat to Bazoum by officials of the junta, according to a Western military officer who spoke on condition of anonymity due to the sensitivity of the subject.
The threats from both ECOWAS and the junta escalate tensions, but hopefully will nudge them closer to actually talking, according to Aneliese Bernard, a former U.S. State Department official who specialises in African affairs and is now the director of Strategic Stabilisation Advisors, a risk advisory firm.
She warned that the junta’s rapid expansion of power raises the possibility that they will resort to even more harsh measures.
According to Infostride News, a new administration was constituted by the Niger junta on Thursday.
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