President Mohamed Bazoum’s son, Salem, is critically ill, ECOWAS leaders were told at their meeting on Thursday, according to an official present at the meeting. The West African leaders were told that Salem had lost about 10 kilograms since he was detained alongside his father following the 26 July coup in Niger. Mr Bazoum’s daughter, Zazia Bazoum, told UK Guardian that her family is living in a very difficult situation. PREMIUM TIMES had reported how the junta leaders prevented the ECOWAS delegation, led by Mr Abubakar, from leaving the Niger airport and meeting with the coup leaders or Mr Bazoum. At the Thursday meeting, Senegal, Côte d’Ivoire and others called for the deployment of force in Niger to restore constitutional rule.

Source: The Guardian August 12, 2023 18:30 UTC