Niger: Mohamed Bazoum’s family confirms the absence of news of him and denounces the arbitrary arrests

Relatives of ousted Nigerien President Mohamed Bazoum confirmed on Thursday that they had not heard any news about him since October 18, denouncing the “arrests” and “arbitrary searches” to which some of them were subjected.

It is noteworthy that Bazoum has been detained in his residence in the presidential palace with his wife and son, since the army ousted Bazoum on July 26. Despite continuous calls from a number of countries to release him, the new military regime in Niger refuses to respond.

A statement from his family included: “Since October 18, there has been no news of President Bazoum, his wife Khadija Mabrouk, and their son Salim, who were held hostage by the Presidential Guard.” She continued, “Many of our family members were subjected to arbitrary arrest and searches by the military authorities.”
The family’s lawyer, weld Salim Said, told the press, “We noticed a focus on President Bazoum’s family,” referring to the searches of his relatives’ homes.

The lawyer continued that “unidentified armed elements kidnapped” Bazoum’s uncle on Sunday, and “arrested” his wife’s brother, adding that he filed a complaint with the Public Prosecution on charges of “kidnapping, detention, and arbitrary detention.”

Military leaders, led by General Abdel rahman Chiane, have been ruling Niger since July 26. Since then, the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has imposed tough sanctions on Niger and warned that it may intervene militarily if diplomatic efforts to return Bazoum to power fail.

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