Niger: US, UN worried over deposed president’s health

The US and UN are concerned about the health and safety of Niger’s President Mohamed Bazoum, who has spent more than two weeks under house arrest.

“We are greatly worried about his health and his personal safety and the personal safety of his family,” a US State Department spokesman said.

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said he was concerned about the reportedly “deplorable living conditions” Mr. Bazoum and his family were in.

Earlier, his party said they were being detained under “cruel” and “inhumane” conditions, Reuters news agency reported.

Since then, a military junta has ruled Niger while Mr. Bazoum has been kept in the presidential palace. Members of the junta have made no comments about the ousted leader’s condition.

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On Tuesday, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken called Mr Bazoum and assured him of the US’s ongoing support, Washington said.

US State Department spokesman Matthew Miller added: “As time goes on, as he’s held in isolation, it’s a situation that is of growing concern to us.”

Mr. Bazoum’s political party, PNDS-Tarayya, claimed in a statement that Mr. Bazoum and his family had no access to running water, electricity, fresh goods, or doctors.

The statement 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. (SOURCE: BBC).