Niger coup: President Bazoum labels himself ‘hostage’ and warns of ‘devastating penalties’ if army takeover succeeds

President Mohamed Bazoum of Niger has claimed he’s a “hostage” and that all the Sahel area may fall to the Russians following the nation’s army coup.

Writing for the Washington Post, Mr Bazoum mentioned he had been “illegally imprisoned” in spite of everything political exercise was suspended by Niger’s army junta.

He mentioned that if profitable, the coup would have “devastating consequences for our country, our region and the entire world”.

Referring to the Ukraine warfare, he mentioned “all the central Sahel area may fall to Russian affect by way of the Wagner Group”.

It comes as many pro-junta protesters waved Russian flags and broadcasters RFI and France 24 tv had been banned from broadcasting within the nation.

The president completed by pleading to the US authorities and the “entire international community” to assist the nation “restore constitutional order”.

He mentioned combating for shared values is the “the only way to make sustainable progress against poverty and terrorism”.

The plea comes as US Secretary of State Antony Blinken mentioned the US is “very much” in assist of the West African regional physique – often known as ECOWAS – which has threatened to make use of power to regain democracy.

President Joe Biden additionally used Niger’s independence day to name for the discharge of Mr Bazoum and for democracy to be restored.

The European Union, United Nations, France and others have additionally condemned the rebellion and refused to recognise self-declared head of state General Abdourahamane Tiani.

On Thursday, 14 Britons arrived in France after being flown in another country, following plans by Italy and France to evacuate their residents.

ECOWAS has set a deadline of Sunday 6 August for the junta to reinstate Mr Bazoum – when this expires, the physique will resolve what steps to tackle the suggestions of its defence specialists.