Photo : Issouf Sanogo, AFP
NIAS Area Studies
AFRICA MONITOR
Photo : Issouf Sanogo, AFP
IN BRIEF
by Anu Maria Joseph, Jerry Franklin, Ryan Marcus, Sneha Surendran, Nithyashree RB and Prerana P
Niger: Military charges President with high treason
On 13 August, a spokesman for Niger’s military on national television declared the charges against the country’s president Mohamed Bazoum. Bazoum has been held at the president’s official residence along with his family since 26 July. The statement accused Bazoum of “high treason and undermining the internal and external security.” The accusation followed the Nigerian Islamic delegation who announced the military’s willingness to negotiate with the ECOWAS. ECOWAS responded: “It represents yet another form of provocation and contradicts the reported willingness of the military authorities in the Republic of Niger to restore constitutional order through peaceful means.” UN spokesman Stephane Dujarric expressed concerns regarding the health of the President and called on the military to restore Bazoum as the head of State. (“Niger military to prosecute Mohamed Bazoum for ‘high treason’,” Al Jazeera, 14 August 2023)
Mali: MINUSMA leaves Ber retroceding to the military
On 13 August, MINUSMA stated that it had “anticipated” its withdrawal from Ber, a northern region where security is deteriorating, posing a threat to the Blue Helmets. MINUSMA also reported that they were under attack twice during their withdrawal, leaving some UN soldiers wounded. The Malian army, FAMA, recovered Ber, which was also desired by the Tuareg rebellion. (“In Mali, the army recovers a UN base coveted by the former Tuareg rebellion,” Africanews, 14 August 2023)