Niger’s military-appointed Prime Minister, Ali Mahaman Lamine Zeine, has assured that Bazoum will not be harmed.
ECOWA Chairman and Nigerian President Bola Tinubu had, on Friday, warned of impending “grave consequences” should the military rulers allow Bazoum’s health to deteriorate in detention.
Zeine yesterday told The New York Times that, “Nothing will happen to him because we don’t have a tradition of violence in Niger.”
Niger’s new rulers have so far shown little flexibility and warned against “illegal aggression”.
Meanwhile, Radio France International reported that thousands of volunteers turned out in central Niamey on Saturday answering a call to register as civilian auxiliaries who could be mobilised to support the army.
