France assures of Bazoum’s safety

France on Friday gave the assurance that the ousted President of Niger Republic, Mohamed Bazoum, currently under house arrest since the military coup on Wednesday, is in good health and safe.

The Foreign Minister of France, Catherine Colonna, on Friday, asserted that ousted President Mohamed Bazoum is in “good health”, even while in detention at his residence by coup plotters.

Citizens in solidarity rally, supporting  the overthrow of President Mohamed Bazoum in Niger by the military

Colonna added that President Bazoum had spoken to President Emmanuel Macron of France in the early hours of Friday; insisting: “He is reachable, he also said that he is in good health.”

Colonna was, however, of the view that there is a “way out” for coup plotters who chose to heed global condemnation of President Mohamed Bazoum’s overthrow.

According to her, “If you hear me talking about an attempted coup, it’s because we don’t consider things final.“There is still a way out if those responsible listen to the international community.”

Niger has been in turmoil as citizens take to the streets to express solidarity and support for the military junta that overthrew President Bazoum. The citizens, constituting a mob, extend their mass action to beating politicians on the streets and attacking the party office of the ousted president.

France, deploying 1,500 soldiers to Niger, had ordered “the restoration of the integrity of Nigerien democratic institutions”.

However, the Chief of the Armed Forces, General Abdou Sidikou Issa, declared support for the coup executors. According to him, “The military command… has decided to subscribe to the declaration made by the Defence and Security Forces… in order to avoid a deadly confrontation.”