The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Commissioner for Political Affairs, Peace, and Security, Ambassador Abdel-Fatau Musah, has warned Niger junta, that they will face consequences if any harm befalls President Mohamed Bazoum.
He said this, following reports that the junta allegedly threatened to kill Bazoum if a military intervention was initiated against Niger..
In an interview with Channels Television on Friday, Musah revealed that President Bazoum and his son were being held captive by the military rulers.
He said they were living under appalling condition, hence, the reason for the regional bloc’s decision to prepare a standby force.
He said the West African region bloc cannot fold its arms, and depend on the goodwill of the coupists after interrupting democratic order.
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Musah said, “We are going there, if need be, to rescue President Bazoum who is living in very terrible conditions today. He is being denied medical attention, he’s being denied even access to his usual food.
“His son, who is also in detention, has lost so many kilos already. They are being held in these inhumane conditions and we cannot just sit back idle and depend on the goodwill of these people who are disrupting the democratic process in the country.
“Yesterday’s communique also made it very clear that this junta will pay dearly if anything happens to the safety, security, or physical integrity of Bazoum, his family, or members of his government. That was clearly done.
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“We are not going to hold back because they are holding the president hostage. If they dare, if they should harm in any way, then they are going to pay very dearly for that. So, this is a tactic.”
The heads of state from the regional bloc convened in Abuja on Thursday for an extraordinary summit to discuss strategies to address the crisis in Niger.
After the meeting, ECOWAS said diplomacy remains a priority, but the possibility of military intervention still on the table.