The UN Secretary-General António Guterreson Thursday demanded the release of Niger’s President Mohamed Bazoum “immediately and unconditionally”, as military officers continue to hold the democratically-elected leader captive after declaring a coup.
Recall that a group of officers from all military branches made the television announcement late on Wednesday after members of the president’s own guard detained him inside his offices in the capital Niamey.
According to news reports, the attempted coup does not have the backing of the entire military, but the head of the army has announced that he supports the move.
Addressing reporters at UN Headquarters in New York on Thursday morning, António Guterres once again strongly condemned the attempted military takeover and the “assault against the democratically-elected government”.
The UN supports the efforts of the West African bloc ECOWAS and the African Union (AU) “to restore democracy.”
Similarly, UN human rights chief Volker Turk in a statement, expressed shock and distress by the attempted military takeover in Niger and condemned it in the strongest terms.
Turk noted that President Mohamed Bazoum must be released immediately and unconditionally, ensuring his security.
His words:
“I urge all actors to refrain from violence and respect the rights and fundamental freedoms of all. It is in the interests of all the people of Niger that the important democratic gains made in recent years are safeguarded and preserved.”
Bazoum was confined in Niamey on Wednesday by members of his presidential guard, who hours later announced that “all institutions” in the troubled West African nation would be suspended, the borders closed, and a night-time curfew imposed.
