*Says Niger will not collaborate with Russia or the Kremlin-backed Wagner group
Ali Mahaman Lamine Zeine, the newly appointed Prime Minister of Niger, has conveyed that the generals responsible for the recent coup, which led to the ousting of President Mohamed Bazoum on July 26, are committed to ensuring his safety.
In an interview with The New York Times, Zeine, the most prominent civilian figure appointed by the military, emphasized that Niger does not have a history of resorting to violence.
“Nothing will happen to him, because we don’t have a tradition of violence in Niger,” Zeine, the most senior civilian appointed by the military leaders, told the newspaper in an interview from Dakar on the fate of overthrown President Mohamed Bazoum.
Speaking from Dakar, Zeine assured that there are no plans for harm to befall President Bazoum, who has been confined to his residence since the coup.
Zeine also explicitly stated that there is no intention to collaborate with Russia or the Kremlin-backed Wagner group, addressing concerns about external partnerships.
Reports from The New York Times indicate that the ousted President’s house had its water and electricity supply disrupted by the coup leaders, who also issued threats regarding his safety if other African countries proceed with a military intervention to restore him to power.
In response to the situation, President Bola Tinubu warned of “grave consequences” should Bazoum’s health deteriorate while under house arrest, as conveyed by a European Union official. Meanwhile, questions about Bazoum’s well-being and his status were raised by reporters at the United Nations headquarters in New York.
A spokesperson for UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres confirmed that they have received information from a reliable source indicating that Bazoum is alive. Stephane Dujarric, the spokesperson, stated, “As far as we know, he’s alive.”
Prime Minister Zeine, a trained economist who had previously served as the finance minister, addressed the presence of foreign military forces in Niger. He commented on the presence of 1,100 American soldiers and 1,500 French soldiers involved in anti-terrorist operations alongside the local army. Zeine suggested that a review of such military partnerships might be necessary and acknowledged the diplomatic approach of the White House in resolving the crisis.
As Niger navigates this complex situation, the commitment to peaceful resolution and the assurance of the safety of ousted leaders remain crucial aspects of the ongoing discourse.
