For more than two weeks, the junta in Niger has been holding the democratically elected President Bazoum and his family captive – apparently without adequate food, electricity or medical care. The UN and Human Rights Watch expressed concern.
Two weeks after the military coup in Niger, concerns are growing about the detained President Mohamed Bazoum. According to a source, his life is in danger. “They are killing him,” said Niger’s ambassador to the US, Mamadou Kiari Liman-Tinguiri, in an interview with the AP news agency. Bazoum sits with his family in the unlit basement of the presidential palace in Niamey.
Bazoum has been held for days along with his wife and 20-year-old son. “The plan of the head of the junta is to starve him,” Liman-Tinguiri explained. “This is inhuman and the world should not accept this. This cannot be tolerated in 2023.” Bazoum and his family have little more than a dwindling supply of raw rice but no way to cook it, the ambassador said.
Human Rights Watch concerned after meeting with Bazoum
Human Rights Watch (HRW) said it had spoken to Bazoum personally and others close to him over the past few days. Accordingly, he said the conditions for his wife, 20-year-old son and himself were “inhuman and cruel”.
Relatives and friends who wanted to bring groceries were turned away, it said. The junta also denied medical treatment to his son, who has a heart condition.
Media reports of threatened execution
The junta is said to have threatened a US diplomat that she would kill Bazoum in the event of a military intervention, according to the New York Times, based on a report by the US news agency AP. The threat sparked global outrage and further calls for Bazoum’s release.
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said he was “particularly appalled” by the junta’s refusal to release Bazoum’s family as a goodwill gesture. Ambassador Liman-Tinguiri told the AP that despite the hardships, the head of state remains in good spirits. “He’s a man who’s mentally very strong. He’s a man of faith.”
UN: Possible violation of human rights
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.
Federal Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock described the detention of the Bazoum family as “hostages” and called for their release. She also welcomed ECOWAS’ position on the coup in Niger. The unified approach of the international community and the African Union is “a clear sign of support for democracy in Niger and beyond,” said Baerbock.
Junta spokesman denies reports
The activist Insa Garba Saidou, who supports the now ruling military in Niger in their communication, denied reports that things were not going well for the president and his family. The representations are wrong. Bazoum is lucky not to have been taken anywhere. “He was left in his palace with his cell phone. Those who did this have no intention of harming Bazoum,” Saidou said.
Bazoum has not been seen in public since July 26. The military overthrew the democratically elected president that day and took power. The West African Economic Community ECOWAS called on the putschists to reinstate Bazoum by last Sunday evening and threatened military intervention. The deadline passed without a military operation taking place. On Thursday, the self-appointed rulers announced the formation of a new government, which met for the first time on Friday.