Thursday, July 16, 2026

Nigerien coupists to charge President Bazoum with high treason

Mr Bazoum’s fate remains in the hands of his nemesis, his presidential guards-turned-coupists, who overthrew his government on July 26.

• August 14, 2023
Niger Coup plotters
NIGERIEN COUP PLOTTERS

Niger coup plotters, now ruling in place of a democratically-elected government, have announced plans to charge ousted President Mohamed Bazoum with high treason and undermining national security.

Announcing the decision on national TV, the junta read a statement, saying it had gathered evidence to prosecute “the deposed president and his local and foreign accomplices for high treason and undermining the internal and external security of Niger.”

It did not give further details.

The announcement came barely 48 hours after a high-powered delegation of Muslim clerics led by the national leader of Jama’atul Izalatil Bid’ah Waikamatu Sunnah from Nigeria met the coupists in Niamey to resolve the political impasse in Niger.

Ali Mahamane Lamine Zeine, the prime minister installed by the putschists, had disclosed that “we have agreed and the leader of our country has given the green light for dialogue. They will now go back and inform the Nigerian president what they have heard from us…(sic).”

Mr Zeine added, “We hope in the coming days, they (ECOWAS) will come here to meet us to discuss how the sanctions imposed against us will be lifted.” 

Mr Bazoum was ousted on July 26, and the coup plotters that overthrew his government have since rebuffed all efforts to restore the Nigerien president to power. The military junta has also ignored sanctions and condemnations by ECOWAS and its international allies, including the U.S. and France.

Mr Bazoum, 63, had been placed under house arrest with his family amid growing concerns over his health.  

On Saturday, Mr Bazoum’s doctor visited him and declared that he was in “good spirits” despite being held in “difficult” conditions.

We have recently deactivated our website's comment provider in favour of other channels of distribution and commentary. We encourage you to join the conversation on our stories via our Facebook, Twitter and other social media pages.

More from Peoples Gazette

farmers

Agriculture

FG tasks ECOWAS on leveraging financing strategies for agroecology

The federal government has urged stakeholders in the agriculture and finance sectors in the West Africa region to leverage financing strategies to enhance agroecology practices

Katsina State

Politics

Katsina youths pledge to deliver over 2 million votes to Atiku

“Katsina State is Atiku’s political base because it is his second home.”

The United States Africa Command (AFRICOM) and the Kingdom of Morocco's Royal Armed Forces signed a memorandum of understanding

Africa

Anti-Terrorism: U.S AFRICOM, Morocco to establish tech-driven training, experimentation centre in Africa

Mr Anderson said the centre would increase readiness and advance capabilities of both nations.

Argentina players celebrating after the match against England 

Sport

Argentina stun England to set up World Cup final clash with Spain

Spain defeated France 2-0 at the Dallas Stadium on Tuesday to qualify for the final. 

Federation Account Allocation Committee

Heading 3

FG, states, LGs shared N2.550 trillion June revenue: FAAC 

Mr Mokwa said the revenue was shared at the July meeting of the committee.

UK Metro Police

Heading 2

14-year-old boy charged with terror offences targeting London mosques

The boy was arrested on 9 July on suspicion of criminal damage to a vehicle.

Alleged rape victim

States

Delta content creator arrested after alleged rape victim dies by suicide

According to the victim, Mr Ogbonna initially demanded sex in exchange for financial help.