Niger’s President Mohamed Bazoum smiles earlier than a working lunch with French President Emmanuel Macron, Feb. 16, 2023 on the Elysee Palace in Paris.

Michel Euler/AP

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Michel Euler/AP

Niger’s President Mohamed Bazoum smiles earlier than a working lunch with French President Emmanuel Macron, Feb. 16, 2023 on the Elysee Palace in Paris.

Michel Euler/AP

NIAMEY, Niger — Niger’s mutinous troopers say they are going to prosecute deposed President Mohamed Bazoum for “high treason” and undermining state safety, hours after they mentioned they have been open to dialogue with West African nations to resolve the mounting regional disaster.

The announcement on state tv on Sunday night time, by spokesman Col. Maj. Amadou Abdramane, mentioned the army regime had “gathered the necessary evidence to prosecute before competent national and international authorities the ousted president and his local and foreign accomplices for high treason and for undermining the internal and external security of Niger.”

Bazoum, Niger’s democratically elected president, was ousted by members of his presidential guard on July 26 and has since been underneath home arrest along with his spouse and son within the presidential compound within the capital, Niamey.

People near the president in addition to these in his ruling occasion say their electrical energy and water have been minimize off and so they’re working out of meals. The junta dismissed these reviews Sunday night time and accused West African politicians and worldwide companions of fueling a disinformation marketing campaign to discredit the junta.

International strain is rising on the junta to launch and reinstate Bazoum. Immediately after the coup, the West African regional bloc ECOWAS gave the regime seven days to return him to energy or threatened army drive, however that deadline got here and went with no motion from both aspect.

Last week, ECOWAS ordered the deployment of a “standby” drive, nevertheless it’s nonetheless unclear when or if it could enter the nation.