Niger Junta Foils Escape Attempt by Deposed President Bazoum

(iexclusivenews) – Niger’s military government has announced that it thwarted a daring escape attempt by deposed President Mohamed Bazoum and his family in the early hours of Thursday.

Bazoum, who was overthrown in a coup on July 27, had planned to flee to neighboring Nigeria with the help of some security accomplices and two foreign helicopters.

How the Escape Attempt Was Foiled

According to a statement by the junta, Bazoum and his family, along with two domestic staff, were transported from their house arrest location in Niger’s capital Niamey to the outskirts of the city at around 3:00 am on Thursday.

There, they were supposed to board two helicopters “belonging to a foreign power” that would fly them to Nigeria.

However, the defense and security forces of Niger were alerted and intervened to stop the escape plan.

“The prompt reaction of the defense and security forces made it possible to thwart this plan to destabilize our country,” a junta spokesperson said.

The statement added that “the main perpetrators and some of their accomplices have been arrested.”

The junta did not reveal the identity of the foreign power involved in the escape attempt, nor the current whereabouts of Bazoum and his family.

MORE NEWS: 

Nigerian Opposition Leader Obi Calls For Chief Tinubu To Do The Right Thing

Niger Coup: Why Nigerian Senators Rejected Tinubu’s Request for Troops Deployment

Niger’s Junta Accuses U.N. Chief of Siding with France and ECOWAS, See Why

Why Bazoum Was Ousted and Detained

Bazoum, who was elected as Niger’s president in February 2021, was ousted by a group of military officers led by Colonel Mamady Doumbouya on July 27.

The coup leaders accused Bazoum of failing to address the country’s security problems and economic woes.

He was also accused of violating the constitution by appointing members of his party to key positions.

Bazoum has been under house arrest since then, along with some of his ministers and allies.

In August, he told CNN via text messages that he had been isolated, kept without electricity, and forced to eat dry rice and pasta by his captors.

He also said that he had not resigned as president and that he still considered himself as the legitimate leader of Niger.

Later that month, Niger junta said it had “gathered the necessary evidence” to prosecute Bazoum for “high treason” and other charges.

The junta has not yet announced a date for the trial or the details of the evidence.

How the International Community Has Reacted

The coup in Niger has been widely condemned by the international community, especially by Niger’s Western and regional allies.

The African Union suspended Niger’s membership and imposed sanctions on the coup leaders.

The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) also suspended Niger and demanded the immediate release of Bazoum and a return to constitutional order.

Last week, the US said it was putting a hold on its assistance programs to Niger, including funding for security cooperation and humanitarian aid.

The US also formally declared Bazoum’s ouster as a coup, which triggers legal restrictions on US assistance to Niger.

The military rulers have said they are committed to restoring democracy and holding elections within a reasonable time frame.

They have also formed a transitional government that includes some civilians and opposition figures.

However, they have not yet specified a timeline for the transition or a roadmap for the electoral process.

Niger is one of the poorest countries in the world and faces multiple security challenges from Islamist militants and ethnic conflicts in its vast territory.

The coup has raised fears of further instability and violence in the troubled West African Sahel region.