Niger Crisis: ECOWAS Forces Ready, Junta Warns of Bazoum's Potential Execution
The safety of former Nigerien President Mohamed Bazoum is under threat following the military junta's takeover of the government. The junta has reportedly issued a threat to kill Bazoum if the Economic Community of West African States ( ECOWAS ) attempts any military intervention to restore democracy in the country. The junta's dark plot to assassinate the deposed president was disclosed to a high-ranking United States diplomat, according to two Western officials who confirmed the information to the Associated Press (AP). This threat comes in response to the ECOWAS resolution to deploy troops to Niger after the military leaders refused to restore democracy despite regional sanctions . The ECOWAS authority has directed the deployment of a standby force to restore constitutional order in Niger . During a visit to the country, US Under Secretary of State Victoria Nuland was reportedly informed of the threat to Bazoum by representatives of the junta. The US official confirmed...