Nigerien military arrests three ex-ministers for conspiracy, treason
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Despite the threat of military action, Senegalese President Macky Sall calls for a diplomatic way out.
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Abdourahmane Tchiani and other army commanders stand together after meeting in the capital, Niamey, Niger, on July 28, 2023. (AFP)
The Nigerien military has arrested three former government ministers who served under former President Mohamed Bazoum.
According to an inside military source speaking to Sputnik on Thursday, the former interior minister, finance minister, and oil minister have been arrested on the basis of a warrant issued by Niger's attorney general, on charges including conspiracy and treason.
Bazoum was overthrown and detained in late July by a Nigerien military junta led by Abdourahamane Tchiani, the former commander of the country's Presidential Guard.
The Western-allied Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), promised military interference to reinstate Bazoum by force if the junta did not do so by August 6. However, with the passing of more than a month beyond the deadline, Bazoum remains detained, while ECOWAS has toned down its statements on Niger and the ruling junta, hoping for a peaceful solution.
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Senegal's President
On Thursday, Senegalese President Macky Sall, whose country promised to participate in the mobilization against Niger, expressed optimism about the possibility of a peaceful resolution in the country.
He urged the military leaders to consider diplomatic avenues before pushing the situation to a point where military intervention becomes the last resort, a threat used by multiple officials since July 26, which is yet to materialize.
Sall's remarks came during an interview for France's RFI and France 24 on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly in New York.
He asserted the need for all available peaceful options to be exhausted before resorting to military action, which would be the last and least desirable course to pursue.
Nigeria, whose president Bola Tinubu holds the chairmanship of ECOWAS, has engaged in talks to find a more feasible agreement that ensures ECOWAS and the West's interests in the country are maintained.
President Sall said he is eager to collaborate with Nigeria, stating, "I'm waiting for him to inform us of the results of his different approaches so that we can ultimately assess and adopt a joint decision."
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