Niger: French President expresses fear over uncertain situation facing Mohamed Bazoum

President Emmanuel Macron of France has expressed fear over the uncertain condition facing deposed president of Niger, Mohamed Bazoum who is also his main ally in the region. Macron said this in response to the report that Mr. Bazoum had planned to escape detention where he has been held since the July coup…

French President Emmanuel Macron says he’s concerned over the uncertain situation facing Niger’s deposed president Mohamed Bazoum.

The call for the release of Mr. Bazoum came after the junta that removed him from office said the former president had “tried to escape”, which was denied by his lawyers.

The junta said the escape plan failed and “the main actors and some of the accomplices” had been arrested.

While reacting, the French leader called for the immediate release of Mr Bazoum and that of his wife and son, the presidency said in a statement.

Macron re-emphasised “France’s determination to continue its efforts for the restoration of constitutional order in Niger”.

Mr. Bazoum has not resigned his position as the head of the country since he was deposed.

The former leader of the West African country had been held at his residence with his wife and son since he was kicked out of power by the military on July 26.

Last month, counsels to the deposed leader announced that he had launched a legal complaint against those who removed him in a court of the Economic Community of West African States, and also to the UN Human Rights Council.

His lawyers said being held “incommunicado”, was “a new red line which has been crossed by a junta which continues to violate the fundamental rights of our client”.

The French again vowed to continue to support the ousted leader since the coup and is calling for his release.