Nigerian Foreign Minister Asumi Masudu stated that the rebels responsible for the coup do not hold the right to sue President Mohamed Bazum. The Foreign Ministry, which operates from outside Niger, conveyed this stance in a televised interview with France24. Masudu emphasized that the rebels have engaged in violent actions, disqualifying them from judging or charging others. Consequently, the minister concluded that the rebels lack both legal authority and moral legitimacy to pursue any legal action or to hold others accountable.
The rebel declaration in Niger signaled a move to initiate talks with leaders of the West African Economic Community, also known as ECOWAS. This development underscored the rebels’ intent to engage regional bodies in negotiation, potentially shaping the diplomatic response to the upheaval in Niger.
On July 26, President Bazum and his wife were detained by their own bodyguards. By the night of July 27, Niger’s State Armed Forces halted the operations of government institutions, imposed a curfew, and closed the national borders. The rapid sequence of events signaled a dramatic shift in the country’s political landscape and prompted international concern about stability in the region.
Earlier statements from Niger indicated ongoing concerns about where the president remained during the crisis. The unfolding situation drew attention from regional and international observers as a volatile chapter in Niger’s political history, with the potential to influence security, governance, and regional diplomacy in the Sahel area. (Source: France24)