On Thursday, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken indicated that the United States feels "deeply concerned" about the safety and security of Niger's deposed President Mohamed Bazoum. Blinken emphasized that the United States holds the military council that has taken power in Niger responsible for the safety of Bazoum, his family, and the detained government members.
In a statement issued by the U.S. State Department, Blinken stated, "The United States joins the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) in calling for the restoration of constitutional order in Niger." Additionally, the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, Volker Turk, expressed his concerns on Friday regarding the deposed President Bazoum and his family, stating that the conditions of their detention are seeing "rapid deterioration."
In his statement, Turk mentioned, "I have received credible reports indicating that the conditions of detention could reach a level of inhumane and degrading treatment, which is contrary to international human rights law." ECOWAS has pledged to enforce sanctions, travel bans, and asset freezes against those obstructing the return of Bazoum to power.
European Union foreign policy chief Josep Borrell also renewed his call for the military in Niger to release President Bazoum and his family. Bazoum's party reported on Wednesday that the deposed president and his family are being held in "harsh" and "inhumane" conditions at their residence, where there is no running water, no electricity, and they cannot obtain fresh goods or access doctors.
