UN, US Worry Over The Safety Of President Bazoum

UN, US Worry Over The Safety Of President Bazoum

The US and the United Nations have expressed concern over the health and safety of the deposed President Mohamed Bazoum of Niger since the overthrow of his government on July 26.

 The UN Secretary General, Antonio Guterres, said he was concerned about what he called the “horrible living conditions” of Bazoum and his family, who are still being detained by the coup plotters.

According to BBC Hausa, a spokesman for the Secretary-General reported Guterres as expressing great concern for the safety and life of Bazoum and his family, while he also called for the speedy release of the deposed president without any conditions and his return to power.

The decision came after a report by CNN, saying that the junta kept him in solitary confinement and forced him to eat rice.

However, Bazoum also sent a brief text message to a friend, explaining that he had been “without contact since Friday”, and was unable to get more food and medicine.

“We are very concerned about the health and safety of his life and that of his family,” said US state department spokesman Mathew Miller.

Miller added, “As time goes on, he is being held in an isolated location, and that is something we are concerned about.”

Also, Bazoum’s party, PNDS-Tarayya, in a statement also claimed that the ousted President and his family were denied access to drinking water and electricity.

Assessing the implications of war against Niger, retired Brig. Gen. Bashir Adewinbi said, “It is not unlikely that it might affect the ongoing war against insecurity in the country. Also, the border states to Niger may feel the impact as the junta may make an attempt to attack them.

“You know a war is not a child’s play. They would be looking for our weak links to make a point since we are the one closest to them and are culturally related. Do not also forget we have porous borders.’’

Group Captain Sadique Shehu (retd.) observed that the ECOWAS’ decision would have an impact on the ongoing war against insecurity in the country.

“Of course, there is an implication because Nigeria is the lead country. We are expected to provide equipment, funds and troops. We are also the ones most related to Niger. We have cultural and economic ties with them. Also, we have our security problems.

‘’It is common knowledge that we don’t have enough security operatives. Are we going to pull out from the North-East where they are fighting Boko Haram or the South-East where they are fighting IPOB? That is a problem on the president’s plate,’’ he concluded.