Emmanuel Thomas I Monday, August 07, 2023
BERLIN – The German government has issued a strong warning to the coup plotters in Niger not to commit acts of violence against the detained President Mohamed Bazoum.
A spokesman for the Foreign Office made it clear in Berlin on Monday that they were worried about the politician.
“I would like to emphasize once again at this point our message to the coup plotters that they must expect harsh personal consequences should anything happen to the democratically elected President Bazoum and his family,” the spokesman said.
“We would perceive that as an escalation, as would our African partners.” When asked, he mentioned sanctions and also national or international prosecution as possible steps.
Furthermore, the German government hopes that the coup plotters will respond to mediation efforts by the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).
At the weekend, an ultimatum issued by ECOWAS to the military junta that has ruled Niger since a coup d’état at the end of July expired. When asked what basis this had under international law, the Foreign Office spokesman said he did not want to speculate.
Intervention could also be possible, if necessary, at the invitation of Niger’s representative constitutional bodies, “i.e. the democratically elected government.”
