Niger’s Military Rulers Arrest 180 From Former Govt

The new military rulers of Niger, who took over the government in a coup a few days ago, have detained at least one hundred and eighty (180) members of the ousted democratically elected administration, the previous ruling party said on Monday.

The president of the Nigerien Party for Democracy and Socialism, Foumakoye Gado, Mines Minister, Ousseini Hadizatou and the Energy Minister, Mahamane Sani Mahamadou were among those detained, the party’s spokesman, Hamid N’Gadé said.

N’Gadé added that Transport Minister, Oumarou Malam Alma and his deputy, Kalla Moutari, including Interior Minister, Hama Adamou Souley were also detained by the coup plotters, NAN reports.

The “abusive arrests” were evidence of “the repressive, dictatorial and unlawful behaviour” of the military, N’Gadé said.

On Wednesday, officers from General Omar Tchiani’s elite unit declared Niger’s democratically elected president Mohamed Bazoum, of the PNDS, out of power. Tchiani later appointed himself as the new ruler on Friday.

Shortly afterwards, the coup plotters suspended the West African country’s constitution and dissolved all constitutional institutions. The coup has been internationally condemned.

The West African community of states ECOWAS issued an ultimatum to the coup leaders on Sunday saying that if Bazoum was not released and reinstated within a week, ECOWAS would take measures that could include the use of force.

On Monday, the military governments of neighbouring Burkina Faso and Mali warned ECOWAS against intervening.

Any military intervention against Niger would be equal to a declaration of war against Burkina Faso and Mali, a joint statement by the two transitional governments said.