Niger: US, UN express worries over deposed president Mohamed Bazoum’s conditions

The United States and United Nations have raised concerns over the health and safety of Niger’s ousted president Mohamed Bazoum, who is currently detained by the General Abdourahmane Tchiani-led military juntas.

A US state department spokesman said Washington is greatly worried about Mr. Bazoum’s state of health, his personal safety and the personal safety of his family.

On his part, the UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres said he was concerned, including about the reportedly “deplorable living conditions” the family were in.

An official who spoke on condition of anonymity, disclosed that the ousted leader is running out of food and under increasingly dire conditions two weeks after he was removed from power in a military coup and put under house arrest.

The ruling political party also said Mr Bazoum and his family were being detained under “cruel” and “inhumane” conditions, Reuters reported.

President Bola Tinubu of Nigeria has sent two envoys to the junta in the capital Niamey as part of diplomatic efforts to free Mr Bazoum and end the political impasse. The diplomatic move achieved no result.

In a letter seen by The Associated Press, the junta also refused to admit meditation teams from the United Nations, the African Union, and the West African regional bloc ECOWAS, citing security reasons.

Nigeria recently imposed fresh sanctions on its neighbours with the European Union and other allies coming up with measures to force the junta out of power and return Niger back return to constitutional rule.

The ECOWAS leaders will meet later on Thursday in Nigeria to discuss available options to end the coup in Niger.