Bazoum could be killed by Niger coup plotters if the military intervenes

The leaders of the Niger coup are still determined to avoid putting the nation back in the hands of ousted President Bazoum. The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) mobilized its standby force for a potential military invasion of the politically volatile country hours before the threat was made public. According to a Western military officer who requested anonymity and spoke to The Associated Press, members of the junta alerted U.S. Under Secretary of State Victoria Nuland of the threat to Bazoum during her visit to the nation earlier this week. A U.S. official also confirmed the claim to AP while speaking under the condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to speak to the media.