"I'm Writing as A Hostage": Ousted Niger President Begs US, Others

• Mohamed Bazoum, the Nigerien president who was overthrown by the military junta in Niger, has written to the US and the international community for help
• The ousted President, in an opinion piece, said he was writing as a hostage as he feared his country could fall under the influence of Russia, which was already operating through the Wagner Group in neighbouring countries
• Bazoum warned that the consequences would be dire for the country and the African continent if the military junta in Niger succeeded

Niamey, Niger - President Mohamed Bazoum, the ousted constitutional leader of the Republic of Niger, has cried out to the United States and the international community to come to the country's aid and restore constitutional order.

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According to the BBC, the Nigerien President, who was overthrown in a coup last week by a military junta, said he was "writing as a hostage" in an opinion article in the Washington Post.

Nigerien President writes US; fears country could fall under Russia's influence

The president also warned that the region could fall under the influence of Russia through the Wagner Group, which is already operating in the neighbouring countries.

There has been unrest in the West African country since the overthrow of Bazoum by the military junta.

The junta leader earlier announced Niger's ambassadors from France, the US, Nigeria, and Togo had been withdrawn, adding that the jobs of the country's representatives had been terminated.

Niger's military junta to recall Nigeria's ambassador

This came before Kiari Liman-Tinguiri, Niger's ambassador to the US, reportedly said that the military junta should come to reason and know that their move would not succeed.

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Niger is a significant uranium producer in the West African bloc. Uranium is a fuel that is vital to nuclear power. The country is also a key migration route to the Mediterranean and North Africa.

In his opinion article in the newspaper, the ousted president warned that if the military junta succeeded, the outcome would be "devastating consequences for our country, our region and the entire world".

Niger coup: Alleged deployment of troops fake news, DHQ

Legit.ng earlier reported that Nigeria's Defence Headquarters (DHQ) denied the report that President Bola Tinubu has mobilised military action against the military junta in Niger.

The military authority in Nigeria said it was yet to receive any order to carry out military operations from the appropriate authority.

Brigadier General Tukur Gusau, the acting director of defence information, said the Armed Forces of Nigeria would not carry out operations in members states of ECOWAS without an appropriate order.

Source: Legit.ng