United States: America and the United Nations (UN) have expressed concerns over the health and safety of Niger’s democratically elected President, Mr. Mohamed Bazoum. The President has been under house arrest for more than two weeks.
A military official has been in charge of Niger, and Mr. Bazoum has been held at the presidential palace. The junta members haven’t provided any information about the condition of the deposed leader.
We are greatly worried about his health, his personal safety, and the personal safety of his family.
US state department spokesman stated.
Mr. Bazoum was removed from the position on 26th July 2023. Niger’s coup leaders were given a deadline of 13th August 2023, by the Economic Community of West African States (Ecowas) to step down. Ecowas officials are meeting later to decide what to do next, as per the statement.
UN Secretary-General Mr. Antonio Guterres also noted that he was concerned about the “deplorable living conditions” the family is in. The US Secretary of State, Mr. Antony Blinken, has called Mr. Bazoum, assuring him of the US’s ongoing support.
The deposed President’s political party, PNDS-Tarayya, claimed in a statement that Mr. Bazoum and his family had no access to running water, electricity, fresh goods, or doctors. Niger’s elected Prime Minister, Mr. Ouhoumoudou Mahamadou, reiterated that Mr. Bazoum was detained with his family, including his wife and son, without access to electricity or water.
The East African country’s new military government has shut down the country’s airspace temporarily, stating concerns about potential military intervention from Ecowas.