Niger’s former president, Mohamed Bazoum, is currently spending time with his family and is in good health, according to a close relative who spoke to AFP.
The news comes in the wake of allegations from the country’s new military leaders that Bazoum had attempted to escape.
“He is at the presidential residence in Niamey with his wife and son and is doing well,” the family member shared, mentioning that he had been granted one phone call.
Additionally, the source revealed that a doctor had been able to visit him and provide him with food.
Earlier in the week, the military regime that seized power on July 26 alleged that they had thwarted Bazoum’s escape plan.
The spokesperson for the regime stated that Bazoum had intended to reach a hiding place on the outskirts of the capital city, Niamey, before flying out on helicopters that belonged to a foreign nation, headed for Nigeria.
The regime also claimed to have arrested “the main actors and some of the accomplices” involved in this alleged escape plot.
A legal group representing Bazoum firmly denied these claims, describing them as baseless and asserting that Bazoum was being isolated.
French President Emmanuel Macron expressed his concern about the ongoing situation and called for the immediate release of Bazoum, his wife, and his son.
Since his ousting by the military in July, Bazoum has resisted resigning and has remained in his residence within the presidential palace with his family.
In a recent development, Bazoum’s legal team has initiated a legal case with the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), challenging the actions of those who removed him from power and requesting the restoration of constitutional order.
ECOWAS has warned that it might intervene militarily in Niger if diplomatic efforts to reinstate Bazoum as president prove unsuccessful.
France, a supporter of the deposed president in the fight against jihadist groups in Niger, has agreed to the military rulers’ request to withdraw its 1,500 troops by December 31.
This decision follows France’s withdrawal of troops from Mali and Burkina Faso, both of which have experienced coups in the past two years.
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