US and UN concerned for ousted Niger President Mohamed Bazoum’s health
By Bintu Jidda
Kanempress
10th August 2023
The US and UN have expressed deep concern for the health and safety of ousted Nigerien elected President Mohamed Bazoum, who has spent more than two weeks under house arrest.
A US state department spokesman said
“We are greatly worried about his health and his personal safety and the personal safety of his family,”
The Economic Community of West African States (Ecowas) are due to meet in Abuja, Nigeria to decide what to do next.
UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres had also expressed concern about the reportedly “deplorable living conditions of Mr Bazoum and his family were in since he was deposed on 26 July.
Mr Bazoum’s party had earlier said he and his family were being detained under “cruel” and “inhumane” conditions.
The military junta in Niger had ruled Niger while Mr Bazoum was kept in the presidential palace. Members of the junta have made no comment about the ousted leader’s condition.
Mr Bazoum’s political party, PNDS-Tarayya, had claimed that Mr Bazoum and his family had no access to running water, electricity, fresh goods or doctors.
The party echoed previous comments made by Niger’s elected prime minister Ouhoumoudou Mahamadou, who said Mr Bazoum was being held with his wife and son without electricity or water.
