Deposed Nigerian president Mohamed Bazoum published his first statement since the military coup in Niger as a column for the Washington Post Thursday (August 3).
In the statement, he expressed concern at the risk of a rebound in terrorist activities in the Sahel and West African regions and would be placed "under Russian influence" if the "putsch" was successful.
"I am writing this as a hostage," Bazoum wrote. "Niger is under attack by a military junta trying to overthrow our democracy, and I am just one of the citizens who by the hundreds have been arbitrarily and illegally imprisoned."
Bazoum: Niger's Future Looks Bleak if Putsch Succeeds
Bazoum warned that the success of the coup would mean devastating consequences in his country and in the world, given the presence of the Wagner Group in Africa after their alleged war crimes in Ukraine. It was previously reported the mercenary boss Yevgeny Prigozhin pulled his troops out of Ukraine and relocated to Belarus to train them for potential deployment to Africa.
"International aid represents 40% of our national budget, but it will not be delivered if the putsch succeeds," he added, further claiming the Nigerien junta leaders have lied to the people about the need to preserve the country's security when the security situation in Niger has "radically improved" during his time.
He also noted that the return to democracy, and the assistance of foreign nations in his country, resulted in the reduction of attacks made by the African terrorist group Boko Haram, while at the same time, slamming fellow western African nations Mali and Burkina Faso for supporting the junta.
As a result, Bazoum explained, the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) was forced to place sanctions on his country, including a ban on oil exports and imports, as well as the suspension of cross-border financial transactions.
Bazoum Calls for US Assistance
With the Sahel returning to authoritarian and autocratic regimes, Bazoum called for the help of the United States government to "restore constitutional order" and realign itself to the West.
"Fighting for our shared values, including democratic pluralism and respect for the rule of law, is the only way to make lasting progress against poverty and terrorism," he concluded.
Biden Demands Junta to Release Bazoum
Meanwhile, US President Joe Biden marked Niger's 63rd independence anniversary by demanding the immediate release of Bazoum and the restoration of democratic order in the country.
"The Nigerien people have the right to choose their leaders," he said. "They have expressed their will through free and fair elections-and that must be respected."
