Situation in Niger After Military Coup
On July 26, Niger's presidential guard detained President Mohamed Bazoum. The guard's commander, Gen. Abdourahmane Tchiani, proclaimed himself the country's new leader.

Niger's Detained President Bazoum in 'Good Spirit,' Former Advisor Says

Earlier, US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken said that Washington had made it clear to rebel military leaders in Niger that they would be held accountable if anything happened to ousted President Mohamed Bazoum.
Sputnik
Niger's ousted President Mohamed Bazoum is in a buoyant mood despite being detained by coup leaders, Hamidou Amadou N'Gade, his former adviser, said, citing Bazoum's personal doctor.
"The President of the Republic Mohamed Bazoum is in high spirits, according to his doctor," N'Gade posted on Facebook.
The adviser however added that the president has no communication with his relatives as his means of communication have been down due to power outage for almost two weeks.
Therefore, N'Gade cited the need to bring back electricity, especially "in these times of intense heat and mosquitoes."
"Anything can happen to him, away from the eyes and ears of the world and his family," the advisor remarked.
On Thursday, UN chief Antonio Guterres expressed concern over the "deplorable living conditions" of Bazoum and his family.
Situation in Niger After Military Coup
UN Chief Alarmed by Deplorable Living Conditions of Niger's Ousted President
Western media previously reported that the ousted president is being held in lockdown and his diet consists of only plain rice and pasta.
In late July, the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) suspended all financial aid to Niger, froze rebel assets, banned commercial flights in and out of the country, and closed all borders. Nigeria, Niger's southern neighbor, cut the electricity supply to the nation.
On Thursday, a Sputnik correspondent disclosed that the Nigerian capital Niamey is experiencing frequent power outages, leaving almost all residences without electricity.