The junta in Niger Republic faces a serious dilemma as it prepares to release the ousted president, Mohamed Bazoum, and his wife, Khadija. Multiple sources in Nigeria and Niger have confirmed plans for the military government to release Bazoum before or during the early days of Ramadan.
A reliable source within the ministry, speaking anonymously, stated that the release of the ousted president was anticipated. The source revealed that ECOWAS had initially included Bazoum’s release as a condition to lift sanctions imposed on the Sahel country. However, the intervention of Retired Gen. Yakubu Gowon led to a softening of these conditions.”
The Nigerian government has been advocating for Bazoum’s release from the beginning. Initially, it was a precondition for lifting sanctions, but due to Gen. Gowon’s intervention, along with the Lent and Ramadan periods, the sanctions were lifted,” the source explained.The impending release of President Bazoum is seen as a positive step for democracy and the nation, as Bazoum has not been implicated in any actions warranting his house arrest.
Source: Daily Trust