Coup: Niger junta threatens to kill Bazoum over planned military intervention
In a response to the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), directing the deployment of standby military troops to restore constitutional order in the Niger Republic, the leaders of the coup have reportedly told a top US diplomat that they would kill ousted President Mohamed Bazoum if neighbouring countries attempted any military intervention.
It was gathered according to the Associated Press (AP) that the junta made the disclosure to two western officials, following Thursday’s announcement of the deployment of a standby force by the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS)
According to the AP, representatives of the junta told Victoria Nuland, US under secretary of state, of the threat to Bazoum during her visit to the country this week.
However, a former US state department official who specialised in African affairs, Aneliese Bernard, said the threats are capable of escalating tensions on all sides.
“Still, this junta has escalated its moves so quickly that it is possible they do something more extreme, as that has been their approach so far,” she was quoted as saying.
