Niger’s Deposed President Seeks US Help to Dislodge New Military Junta
Niger’s deposed leader has urged the US and “entire international community” to help “restore… Constitutional order” after last week’s coup.
In an opinion piece in the Washington post, president Mohamed Bazoum said he was writing “as a hostage”.
He also warned that the region could fall further under Russian influence, via the Wagner group which already operates in neighbouring countries.
On Thursday, the coup leaders announced they were withdrawing the country’s ambassadors from France, the US, Nigeria and Togo.
In an opinion piece in the Washington Post, Bazoum said he was writing “as a hostage”.
He warned that if the coup succeeds, it would have “devastating consequences for our country, our region and the entire world”.
“Fighting for our shared values, including democratic pluralism and respect for the rule of law, is the only way to make sustainable progress against poverty and terrorism,” Bazoum wrote.
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“The Nigerien people will never forget your support at this pivotal moment in our history.”
Bazoum also highlighted the military junta’s ties to the Russian mercenary group Wagner, which operates elsewhere in the region and said that it is exercising a malign influence in Niger.
“The entire central Sahel region could fall to Russian influence via the Wagner group, whose brutal terrorism has been on full display in Ukraine,” wrote Bazoum.
There have been anti-France demonstrations in the West African country, which was once a colony of France, and growing pro-Russian supporters in the country.
On Thursday, thousands of people hit the streets of the capital Niamey city in support of the coup while criticising other West African countries for imposing financial and trade sanctions on Niger.
So far there has been no indication that Wagner group is involved in the last week’s coup, but Wagner’s leader has reportedly described the coup as a triumph, according to BBC.
