The Economic Community of West African States (Ecowas) has condemned the announcement by the junta in Niger to charge deposed President Mohamed Bazoum with high treason.
The sub-regional bloc maintains that President Bazoum is still the legitimately elected president who is recognized by both West African countries and the international community.
Ecowas expressed these in a press statement.
It comes after army spokesman Colonel-Major Amadou Abdramane said on Sunday that they had been gathering evidence against the ousted leader and what they said were his “local and foreign accomplices” on national television.
According to the coup leaders, President Bazoum’s actions smack of “high treason” and “undermining the security of the country”.
But Ecowas said it learnt of this “with stupefaction”.
“Ecowas condemns this move as it represents yet another form of provocation and contradicts the reported willingness of the military authorities in the Republic of Niger to restore constitutional order through peaceful means,” the press statement said.
Already, plans to employ military force to restore President Bazoum are still on the table.
Member states have been asked to put together a stand-by force for that action.
President Bazoum and his family have been held in the basement of his palace in Niger’s capital Niamey since the military seized power in late July.
“ECOWAS condemns his illegal detention and calls for his immediate release and reinstatement,” the statement concluded.