Germany says Niger coup is setback for Sahel development

BERLIN - The coup in Niger is "a setback that aggravates the complex development challenges in the country and in the Sahel further," German development minister Svenja Schulze said on Tuesday during a visit to West Africa.

"We call for the immediate release of President Mohamed Bazoum and for the full restoration of constitutional order in the Republic of Niger," Schulze said in a statement on behalf of the Sahel Alliance.

The military junta that seized power in Niger in a coup last month has said it will prosecute ousted President Mohamed Bazoum for high treason over his exchanges with foreign heads of state and international organisations.

The United States, United Nations and West African leaders condemned the move, calling it a further sign that the junta is unwilling to seek a peaceful route out of the crisis.

The coup leaders have imprisoned Bazoum and dissolved the elected government, drawing condemnation from global powers and West Africa's regional bloc ECOWAS, which decided last week to assemble a standby military force that could intervene if diplomacy fails.

At stake is not just the fate of Niger - a major uranium producer and Western ally in the fight against an Islamist insurgency - but also the influence of rival global powers with strategic interests in the region.

Junta spokesperson Colonel Amadou Abdramane said in a statement read out on state TV late on Sunday that the military authorities had "gathered the necessary evidence to prosecute the ousted president ... for high treason and undermining the internal and external security of Niger".

UN spokesperson Stephane Dujarric said the attempt to bring charges against Bazoum was "very worrying" and reiterated calls for the president to be released immediately.

"This action is completely unwarranted and unjustified and, candidly, it will not contribute to a peaceful resolution of this crisis," US State Department deputy spokesperson Vedant Patel said.

ECOWAS condemned the move and called it a provocation.

"(This) contradicts the reported willingness of the military authorities in Niger to restore constitutional order through peaceful means," the regional bloc said.