Niger’s ousted president, Mohamed Bazoum, says he has been kept in solitary conditions since the coup attempt pushed him from power. He told friends via messages published by a TV outlet that he has had no contact with anyone and that his location remains restricted. The claim points to a period characterized by limited movement and a lack of visitors, a situation that raises questions about the treatment of the former leader during transitional days after the uprising. The report, attributed to coverage from CNN, highlights concerns about his welfare and the constraints placed on real-time communication with the outside world.
According to Bazoum, the residence where he is held has faced outages that affected essential services, including food storage. He described a scenario where power failures disrupted the storage conditions for supplies, leaving him with a simplified diet consisting mainly of rice and pasta. The description underscores the practical hardships faced by the former president as authorities control access and maintain a tight hold over his daily routines during the transition period.
On the other side, rebel authorities have asserted that Bazoum is in good health and has been allowed limited contact with foreign leaders by telephone. They contend that this contact is controlled and that he is not free to move beyond his residence. The framing from the rebels emphasizes that the security situation remains a priority while still permitting some channels of international communication in a highly controlled environment.
Earlier reports described the moment when Bazoum and his wife were detained by security personnel in their own entourage on the night of July 26. In the days that followed, Niger’s armed forces declared a curfew and closed the borders, with state institutions halting their activities. The rebels stated their aim to ensure the safety of the displaced administration and to maintain order as the political situation evolved. These actions reflect the tense atmosphere and the strain on the country’s governance structures during this upheaval.
Subsequent updates from Niger have referred to the ongoing concern about the fate of the president during the period of upheaval. The situation remains a focal point for observers monitoring the balance of power, the mechanisms of disarmament or control, and the potential for a return to civilian rule. The debates center on how such transitions should proceed, how to safeguard rights, and how the international community might respond to evolving developments while respecting the sovereignty of Niger.