"Appeals for International Intervention: Allies of Overthrown Niger President Urge US and Others to Save His Life"

Allies of Niger's democratically elected President Mohamed Bazoum, who was overthrown by a military coup, are appealing to the United States and other allies to save his life. President Bazoum and his family are confined in an unlit basement, cut off from food and basic necessities by the junta. The ambassador of Niger to the United States has warned that the junta's plan is to starve him to death. Concerns about Bazoum's deteriorating conditions in detention have been expressed by the United States, United Nations, and others. Human Rights Watch has received accounts of mistreatment, while an activist supporting the junta denies the reports. The coup in Niger is drawing attention due to the country's rare democratic transfer of power and its strategic importance in the fight against armed jihadist groups. The Biden administration has yet to label the events in Niger as a coup, but has expressed concern and cut aid to the government.