Niger’s military leaders have announced plans to prosecute the deposed President Mohamed Bazoum, for alleged “high treason” and “undermining the security of the country”, after toppling his democratically elected government in last month’s coup.

In a statement read out on national television, the army spokesman Colonel-Major Amadou Abdramane said they had been gathering evidence against the deposed leader and what they claimed were his “local and foreign accomplices”.

Mr Bazoum and his family have been held in the basement of his palace in Niger’s capital Niamey since the military seized power in late July. 

Attempts to resolve the crisis through dialogue with the regional bloc Ecowas have so far been unsuccessful.

The latest announcement comes as a surprise as it comes hours after the junta expressed their wish to pursue diplomacy to try and solve the crisis in the country. 

On Sunday, the head of a religious delegation of mediators said the head of the junta, Gen Abdourahamane Tchiani, was ready to consider a diplomatic solution with Ecowas.

In a statement Sheikh Abdullahi Bala Lau, the leader of Nigeria’s Izala Salafist Movement, said Gen Tchiani had said “their doors were open to explore diplomacy and peace in resolving the matter”.

It also said Gen Tchiani apologised for shunning the previous Ecowas delegates.

(BBC)