The Secretary-General Of The UN Expresses Concern About The Continued Detention Of The President Of Niger

The Secretary-General of the United Nations, Antonio Guterres, expressed his concern about the continued detention of the President of Niger, Mohamed Bazoum, who was overthrown in a military coup in late July, and the failure of the ongoing efforts to restore constitutional order in the country.

Leonardo Santos Simao, Special Representative of the United Nations Secretary-General, said in response to journalists’ questions that Guterres renewed his full support for the continuing mediation efforts of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), and also stressed the need to allow the United Nations humanitarian air services, which provide a vital link to remote communities in Niger by working and continuing to serve those communities.”

General Abd al-Rahman Chiani, commander of the presidential guard in Niger, announced on 28 of last July that he had installed himself as ruler of the country, two days after the coup against the elected president, Mohamed Bazoum.

The military coup in Niger sparked angry international reactions, amid warnings of the repercussions of this dangerous step on the security of the African Sahel region.