In Niger, the ousted President Bazoum has apparently received medical attention after international criticism. Given the circumstances, he and his family are doing well, it said.
President Mohamed Bazoum, who has been held in Niger for more than two weeks, has received his doctor’s visit for the first time. According to the doctor, the 63-year-old, his wife and his son are doing well, Presidential Advisor Abdourahamane Insar told the dpa news agency.
Before the doctor’s visit to the presidential palace, there had been great concern for the situation of the president and his family. The United Nations, governments and human rights organizations have criticized the prison conditions of the head of state, who was arrested and ousted by the Presidential Guard on July 26.
UN: Treatment ‘inhuman and degrading’
According to UN Human Rights Commissioner Volker Türk, the conditions under which Bazoum is being held may violate international human rights law. Türk spoke of credible reports about the “inhuman and degrading treatment” of the president.
Bazoum recently told the human rights organization Human Rights Watch that he was forced to eat dry foods. His son is being denied treatment despite a heart condition. “I have had no electricity since August 2nd and no human contact since August 4th. I am not allowed to receive my family members (or) my friends who have brought us food and other goods,” Bazoum was quoted as saying.
Blinking phone call
Bazoum had called international representatives several times in the past few days, including US Secretary of State Antony Blinken. In the end, however, the putschists refused to visit.
Chad’s interim president, Mahamat Idriss Déby, met Itno Bazoum on July 31. On July 26, Niger’s Presidential Guard under General Abdourahamane detained Tiani Bazoum at his residence. Other branches of the armed forces also joined the coup, proclaiming “the end of the regime” and dissolving all constitutional institutions. Tiani took power.
Clergy arrive for talks
The West African community of states ECOWAS is threatening measures up to and including military action if the putschists do not release Bazoum and restore constitutional order. In view of a possible ECOWAS intervention, a delegation of Muslim clerics from neighboring Nigeria meanwhile arrived in the country for mediation talks.