US and UN Express Concern Over Detained Niger President's Health and Safety The health and safety of Niger's elected President Mohamed Bazoum, who has been under house arrest for more than two weeks, has raised concerns from both the United States and the United Nations.

A spokesperson from the US State Department expressed worry about President Bazoum's well-being, as well as the safety of his family. The Economic Community of West African States (Ecowas) had given the leaders of the coup until Sunday to step down, and Nigeria's President Bola Tinubu, who chaired a meeting of Ecowas leaders, stated that no option, including the use of force, was off the table. Muslim clerics from northern Nigeria, which shares a border with Niger, had urged against the use of force.

UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres is also concerned about the reported deplorable living conditions experienced by President Bazoum and his family. The president's political party, PNDS-Tarayya, stated that they had no access to running water, electricity, fresh goods, or doctors.

Despite demands from leaders across West Africa to end the military takeover, a new cabinet has been announced by the junta, and Niger's airspace has been closed until further notice due to the threat of military intervention from Ecowas. French authorities denied accusations made by the junta that they were trying to destabilize the country.

Both the US and France have military bases in Niger aimed at disrupting jihadist groups. UN Secretary-General Calls for Immediate Release of Detained Niger President UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres expressed deep concern over the reported dire living conditions of President Mohamed Bazoum and his family while in arbitrary detention in Niger.

The president has been detained since July 26, when soldiers claimed to have removed him from power due to security issues and governance problems. The secretary-general called for President Bazoum's immediate, unconditional release and his reinstatement as head of state.

Bazoum's party, Nigerien Party for Democracy and Socialism-Tarayya, stated that he and his family were being detained under cruel and inhumane conditions without access to basic necessities like electricity, running water, food, or medical care. Niger closed its airspace on August 6, citing the threat of military intervention from the West African regional bloc after the coup leaders rejected a deadline to reinstate President Bazoum.

UN Continues to Support Mediation Efforts in Niger Crisis The United Nations is backing mediation efforts led by the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) to restore constitutional order in Niger.

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres expressed concern about the health and safety of President Mohamed Bazoum and called for his immediate release and reinstatement as head of state. ECOWAS has been meeting to discuss the crisis and had issued a communiqué calling for President Bazoum to be returned to power within a week of the meeting.

The regional bloc had threatened to use force if necessary to restore constitutional order. The UN also emphasized the need to provide ongoing humanitarian support to the 4.3 million people in Niger who may be impacted by the crisis.

The World Food Programme (WFP) provided assistance to over 12,000 people in the Maradi region, and efforts are being ramped up to support those affected by heavy rains and floods. However, humanitarian partners are facing challenges due to low supply stocks caused by border closures and airspace restrictions. The UN has obtained authorization to carry out flights to temporarily relocate family dependents.