US Secretary of State expresses concern over continued detention of Niger’s ousted President Bazum’s family

Introduction

US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken said Niger’s military leadership refused to release the family of ousted President Mohammed Bazum, expressing his displeasure with this refusal.

Telephone Conversation with Former Nigerian President

In a telephone conversation with former Nigerian President Mahamadu Issufu, with whom Bazum worked, Blinken expressed “serious concern about the continued illegal detention in light of the deteriorating living conditions of President Bazum and his family,” according to a statement released by the US State Administration Branch.

Refusal to Release Bazum’s Family

Blinken added that he was “particularly upset by the refusal of those who seized power in Niger to release members of the Bazum family as a goodwill gesture.”

Ousted President and Family Held by the Military

Notably, the military has been holding Mohammed Bazum and his family since they seized power in Niger on July 26.

Concerns about Detention Conditions

Various parties have expressed concern about the conditions under which the ousted president is being held.

European Union High Commissioner for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Josep Borrell wrote on X (formerly Twitter) that Bazum and his family were “deprived of food, electricity and medical care for several days.”

In turn, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk said that the reports he received indicate that the conditions of detention of Bazum and his family “may amount to degrading and inhuman treatment.”

Source

Source: AFP