"Niger Coup: Ousted President Faces Treason Charges as France Accuses U.S. of Betrayal"

Niger's military junta plans to charge deposed President Mohamed Bazoum with high treason and undermining national security, signaling their resistance to international pressure to return power to him. The junta's decision has been met with shock and dismay from the West African regional bloc Ecowas and the US State Department. Mr. Bazoum has been held captive with his wife and son, raising concerns about their health. Ecowas has threatened military action to reverse the coup but has not followed through, while imposing sanctions on the junta. The junta-appointed Prime Minister expressed optimism for talks with Ecowas to lift the sanctions, while a delegation of Muslim clerics from Nigeria attempted to mediate an end to the crisis. The conditions of Mr. Bazoum's detention have been described as inhumane and degrading, with concerns that the charges may be politically motivated.