Bazoum Receives Long-Awaited Medical Examination Following Niger Coup

Former Niger Republic President Mohammed Bazoum who was ousted by a military junta, remains detained along with his wife and son.

 

His personal doctor visited him on Saturday, August 12 and reported that his condition seems stable.

 

“The president “had a visit by his doctor today. “He’s fine, given the situation,” a member of his entourage told newsmen.

 

The physician brought nutritious and fresh meals for the former president and his family, who had been receiving inadequate sustenance from their captors, the military junta.

 

According to a CNN report, Bazoum was subjected to isolation and compelled to consume dry rice and pasta by the individuals responsible for his overthrow.

 

The military junta appears to have granted permission with the intention of addressing global apprehensions about Bazoum’s declining health, which arose after the coup that removed the democratically elected president and detained his family on July 25, 2023.

 

Bazoum’s denounced the treatment he and his wife received as “cruel and inhumane.”

 

Before the doctor’s visit, significant concerns were raised about the well-being of the 63-year-old Bazoum’s and his ongoing detention. These concerns were expressed by individuals, countries, and organizations, including the US, European Union (EU), African Union (AU), and Human Rights Watch.

 

UN rights chief, Volker Turk, remarked that the conditions of Bazoum’s detention could potentially cross the line into inhuman and degrading treatment, which would be a violation of international human rights law.

 

“Bazoum’s detention conditions could amount to inhuman and degrading treatment, in violation of international human rights law”.

 

Antony Blinken, the prominent US diplomat, expressed his “dismayed” over the military’s refusal to release Bazoum’s family, viewing it as a missed  “demonstration of goodwill”.

 

It’s worth noting that the Niger Republic was plunged into profound distress as a result of the military coup that resulted in the removal of democratically elected President Bouzum Mohammed by the Niger Military.

 

The coup was orchestrated by General Abdourahmane Tchiani, a former UN peacekeeper and leader of the Niger military.

 

During a virtual meeting chaired by Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the chairman of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), it appeared that little progress was being made in determining the most effective approach to address the Niger coup situation and the ongoing detention of Bouzum.

 

Within the parliamentary body, there exist differing opinions regarding whether to pursue a military intervention or continue with diplomatic negotiations.

 

Among the 22 countries participating in the current meeting on Saturday, August 12, some expressed support for a military intervention, while others opposed it. This indicates that the prevailing view suggests dialogue and diplomacy remain the preferred methods to handle the situation.

 

While a portion of the parliament expressed their endorsement for dialogue and diplomacy, the rest advocated for measures aimed at curbing the growing influence of military government in the region.

 

In response to a widely circulated video, Nigerian Ambassador to Niger Republic, Liti Auwalu, refuted claims that the embassy in Niamey, the capital city, had been set on fire by an enraged crowd.

 

In an official statement, Ambassador Auwalu clarified that while the mob attempted to enter the premises, they were prevented by the security personnel stationed to protect the area.

 

The statement reads;

 

“It has been brought to our notice that fake videos showing the torching of the Chancery Building in Niamey by protesters is circulating on various social media platforms.

 

“The Embassy wishes to inform the general public that even though protesters tried to gain access to the Embassy on July 30, 2023, the Nigerien Military and Police Authorities promptly curtailed the situation.

 

“At the moment, the Embassy is well guarded by the Nigerien Military and other Security Authorities.

 

“We reiterate that the videos are fake and as such the general public is enjoined to disregard such videos.”

 

The reason behind the presence of the mob at the building remains uncertain.