Niger’s ousted President Mohammed Bazoum seen in photos for first time since coup

Pictures of Niger’s ousted president have emerged, amid neighbouring diplomatic leaders vowing to restore democracy in the country. 

The pictures of the seemingly smiling President Mohammed Bazoum were posted on Facebook by Chad President General Mahamat Idriss Déby Itno, who visited Niger on Sunday to help resolve the crisis. 

The general was in the capital Niamey “to see what he could bring to solving the crisis,” Chad government spokesperson Aziz Mahamat Saleh told AFP. 

The pictures are the first time Niger’s president has been seen since he was ousted last week by military officials citing “bad economic and social governance”.

The Chadian president also posed with coup leader General Abdourahamane Tchiani, who was wearing a military uniform. 

It came as the junta that seized power in Niger detained three more senior politicians from the ousted government on Monday, the Nigerien Party for Democracy and Socialism (PNDS-Tarayya) said. 

Junta forces arrested the ousted government’s mines minister, the head of the ruling party, and oil minister.

The interior minister, transport minister, and a deputy had already been detained, PNDS-Tarayya added.

In a statement, the party said the arrests confirmed the “repressive and dictatorial” nature of the coup leaders, calling on citizens to come together to protect democracy.

US waiting before endorsing sanctions threat

Surrounding West African nations have threatened sanctions and force if Niger’s coup leaders fail to reinstate ousted Mr Bazoum within a week. 

The US’s top general said he had spoken to the chief of Niger’s military on Monday. 

“Our posture will depend on what happens over the next days and week in terms of whether or not we’re able to help the region and the Nigeriens reverse this,” a senior US State Department spokesperson said.

However, juntas of neighbouring Burkina Faso, Mali and Guinea all voiced their support for the coup’s leaders on Monday.

“Mali and Burkina Faso warn that any military intervention in Niger will be considered as a declaration of war against Burkina Faso and Mali,” a joint statement read on both countries’ national broadcasters said.

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Crowds in Niger’s capital Niamey protested against the threat and colonial power France by burning the embassy door and carrying signs reading “down with France”. 

The International Monetary Fund said it was closely monitoring developments in Niger but was yet to take any specific actions in response to the coup.

It has not disbursed a $131.5 million loan to Niger that was approved on July 5. 

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