Germany has warned Niger coup plotters not to commit acts of violence against the detained President Mohamed Bazoum. It threatened sanctions and prosecution.
A spokesman for the Foreign Office said in Berlin on Monday that they were worried about the politician.
“I would like to emphasize once again at this point our message to the coup plotters that they must expect harsh personal consequences should anything happen to the democratically elected President Bazoum and his family,’’ the spokesman said.
“We would perceive that as an escalation, so would our African partners.’’
The foreign office spokesman said listed sanctions and international prosecution as possible response if the coup leaders harm President Bazoum.
The German government urged the coup plotters to respond to mediation efforts by ECOWAS.
An ultimatum issued by ECOWAS to the military junta to reinstate the president expired on Sunday.
The bloc is planning to meet this week to review its decision, a spokesperson said Monday.
Niger closed its airspace Sunday night as the deadline loomed, making it more difficult for airlines to fly across parts of Africa.
The military junta in Niger said the country’s airspace will remain closed till further notice.
It cited the threat of military intervention from Ecowas. The coup leaders rejected a deadline to reinstate the country’s ousted president.
– Joint delegation
Mali and Burkina Faso sent a joint delegation to Niamey, the capital of Niger, on Monday in a show of solidarity.
“Burkina Faso and Mali are sending a delegation to Niamey to show the solidarity of the two countries with the brotherly people of Niger,” the Malian army tweeted.
The two countries had warned that they would consider any military intervention in Niger a declaration of war against them.
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