Niger ousted President to be tried for high treason

Niger’s ruling military leaders have announced their intention to prosecute ousted President Mohamed Bazoum for “high treason” and “undermining the country’s security”.

In a statement read on national television, army spokesman Colonel-Major Amadou Abdramane said they had gathered evidence against the ousted leader and referred to him as his “local and foreign accomplices”.

According to local media, Mr. Bazoum and his family have been held in the basement of his palace in Niamey, the capital of Niger, since the army took power in late July.

Attempts to resolve the crisis through dialogue with the regional bloc ECOWAS have so far been unsuccessful.