At least one hundred eighty (180) members of the deposed democratically elected government have been jailed, according to the former governing party, which took over Niger’s government in a coup a few days ago.
Foumakoye Gado, the president of the Nigerien Party for Democracy and Socialism, Ousseini Hadizatou, the minister of mines, and Mahamane Sani Mahamadou, the minister of energy, were among those held, according to the party’s spokesperson Hamid N’Gadé.
The coup plotters also detained the interior minister, Hama Adamou Souley, as well as the transport minister, Oumarou Malam Alma, and his deputy, Kalla Moutari, according to N’Gadé.
The “abusive arrests” were proof of the military’s “the repressive, dictatorial and unlawful behaviour” according to N’Gadé.
Mohamed Bazoum, the PNDS’s democratically elected president of Niger, was removed from office on Wednesday by members of General Omar Tchiani’s special squad. Then, on Friday, Tchiani proclaimed himself the new emperor.
The West African nation’s constitution was suspended shortly after, and all constitutional institutions were disbanded. The coup has received condemnation on a global scale.
The West African Community of Nations, or ECOWAS, gave the coup leaders an ultimatum on Sunday, stating that if Bazoum was not freed and put back in office within a week, ECOWAS would take action that may involve using force.
cc: Daily Post Ng
