The elected president of Niger, Mohamed Bazoum, who has been under house arrest for more than two weeks, is concern to the US and the UN.
“We are deeply concerned about his health, his personal safety, and the personal safety of his family.” A representative for the US State Department said,
The leaders of the coup in Niger had been given till Sunday to abdicate by the Economic Community of West African States (Ecowas).
Officials from Ecowas will meet later to deliberate the next steps.
Antonio Guterres, secretary general of the UN, expressed his concern about the family’s allegedly “deplorable living conditions” among other things.
On July 26th, Mr. Bazoum was dismissed.
Earlier, according to Mr. Bazoum’s party, he and his family were being held in “cruel” and “inhumane” conditions, according to Reuters.
Since that time, Niger has been governed by a military junta, with Mr. Bazoum being held at the presidential mansion. Regarding the condition of the ousted leader, junta members have remained silent.
Washington reported that on Tuesday, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken called Mr. Bazoum to reassure him of the US’s continued support.
According to Matthew Miller, a spokesman for the US State Department, “as time passes and he is held in isolation, it’s a situation that is of growing concern to us.”
In a statement, Mr. Bazoum’s political party, PNDS-Tarayya, asserted that he and his family lacked access to running water, power, fresh food, and medical care.
The declaration confirmed earlier remarks made by the elected prime minister of Niger, Ouhoumoudou Mahamadou, who claimed that Mr. Bazoum was being held without electricity or water together with his wife and son.
Gen. Abdourahmane Tchiani, the commander of the presidential guard, claims to be in charge of Niger at the moment, while Ali Mahaman Lamine Zeine, the former finance minister, was named the country’s new prime minister by the military coup.
Niger’s airspace has also been shut down by the new military government till further notice, citing Ecowas’ “threat of military intervention.”
France refuted claims made by the military junta of Niger on Wednesday that it was attempting to undermine the nation.
The leaders of the coup alleged that French planes had violated national airspace and that French soldiers had released jihadist prisoners so they could assault military targets.
The French military and foreign ministries issued a joint statement, which was cited by AFP news agency, in which they categorically denied the latest false allegations made by the putschists in Niger.
The military of Niger had approved the flight, they noted.
The US and France both maintain military installations in Niger as part of efforts to dismantle Islamist organisations active throughout the region.
After being ordered to leave Mali due to a coup, Niger became the major base for French forces.
Two representatives of Nigerian President Bola Tinubu met with the junta in the nation’s capital, Niamey, as part of diplomatic attempts.