Niger New Military Leaders Arrest And Detain 180 Former Democratic Government Officials

At least 180 members of the former democratically elected administration have been detained by the new military authorities of Niger Republic, the former ruling party claimed on Monday. The new rulers gained power in a coup a few days ago. According to the party spokesman, Hamid N’Gadé, those imprisoned include Nigerien Party for Democracy and Socialism president Foumakoye Gado, minister of mines Ousseini Hadizatou, and minister of energy Mahamane Sani Mahamadou.

According to N’Gadé, the coup plotters also arrested the minister of transportation, Oumarou Malam Alma, his deputy, Kalla Moutari, and the minister of the interior, Hama Adamou Souley. The military forceful, repressive, dictatorial, and unlawful behavior was on display in the abusive arrests, N’Gadé claimed.

On Wednesday, members of General Omar Tchiani’s special squad deposed Mohamed Bazoum, the President of Niger Republic. Tchiani subsequently declared himself to be the new leader on Friday.

Soon after, the coup leaders disbanded all constitutional institutions and suspended the constitution of the West African country. The world community especially the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has spoken out against the coup.

On Sunday, the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) issued an ultimatum to the coup leaders, threatening to take military actions, including the use of force, if President Bazoum was not released and reinstated within a week.

In reaction to the ECOWAS threat, Burkina Faso and Mali military governments issued a joint warning to ECOWAS on Monday, urging them not to intervene. The two transitional governments of Burkina Faso and Mali issued a joint statement saying they would consider any military involvement against Niger Republic to be an act of war.