The United Nations is concerned about the impact sanctions could have on the situation in Niger, UN Spokesperson Farhan Haq said on Thursday.
"We have mentioned our concerns in general about sanctions regarding this particular case. Our basic concern is with the effort to overthrow the elected government we want the restoration of the government as soon as possible," Haq told a briefing.
On July 30, in response to a coup in Niger a few days prior, ECOWAS suspended all financial aid, froze rebels' assets, and imposed a ban on commercial flights to and from the country, as well as closed all borders. Nigeria, Niger's southern neighbor, cut the electricity supply to the nation.
Earlier today, the United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said that he is "very concerned" about the living conditions and safety of detained Nigerien President Mohamed Bazoum and his family and once again called for his immediate and unconditional release.
A coup took place in Niger on July 26 during which incumbent President Mohamed Bazoum was ousted and detained by his own guard, led by Gen. Abdourahmane Tchiani. The caretaker National Council for the Safeguard of the Homeland closed the country's borders and broke security agreements with France, its former colonizer.