European Council President, Charles Michel, has warned of “serious consequences” should the health of Niger’s President, Mohamed Bazoum, deteriorate. Bazoum has been detained since the military coup that ousted him. This warning was issued during a call with Nigeria’s president, Bola Tinubu, according to the French Press Agency.
A spokesperson for Michel quoted him saying on Friday that, “Democratically elected President Bazoum remains the legitimate president of Niger. The conditions of his detention are deteriorating. Any further decline in his health will lead to serious repercussions,” without revealing further details.
She added, “The Nigerian president reaffirmed ECOWAS’s (Economic Community of West African States) determination and political leadership to act together. ECOWAS will continue to impose its sanctions despite the economic implications on some of the region’s countries.”
Michel further affirmed the “European Union’s full support for ECOWAS decisions and its strong condemnation of the unacceptable military coup in Niger.”
The spokesperson continued, “The European Union will not recognize authorities arising from the coup in Niger. President Bazoum, who was democratically elected, remains the legitimate head of state of Niger.”
Bazoum, whose 2021 election was seen as a historic moment for Niger, has been held along with his family at the official presidential residence since the coup on July 26, amid escalating international concerns about the conditions of his detention.
