Niger’s military junta withdraws the nationality of nine former officials of former president Mohamed Bazoum

MADRID 11 Oct. (EUROPA PRESS) –

The coup leader of Niger, General Abdourahamane Tchiani, signed a decree this Thursday that withdraws the nationality of nine officials of former president Mohamed Bazoum, overthrown in the coup d’état carried out in July last year by the current leader of the country, for allegedly having been involved in acts of terrorism.

The list includes former Tuareg rebel leader Rhissa Ag Boula, who was minister of state and advisor to the Presidency. After the coup d’état, a Council of Resistance for the Republic was launched with the aim of countering the junta. There are also generals Abou Mahamadou Tarka, of the High Authority for Peacebuilding; Karingama Wali Ibrahim, former head of the presidential guard; and Daouda Djibo Takoubakoye, former cabinet number two.

The people affected by this measure “are suspected” of carrying out activities “that could disturb” public peace and security, “conspire against state authority and treason”, as well as “demoralize the Army or the nation with the “in order to harm national defense and the dissemination of comments that may alter public order”.

Likewise, they are accused of “undermining loyalty” to the Armed Forces by “facilitating the penetration of foreign forces into Nigerien territory” through Intelligence information “to a foreign power in order to incite it to undertake hostilities against the State.” , according to a statement collected by the ANP news agency.

The Nigerien authorities have stated that this measure is related to an order signed at the end of August that allowed the creation of a national file with the names of people or entities involved in “acts of terrorism or any other crime that affects the interests “strategic” of the country or “may seriously disturb public tranquility and security.”