Niger’s new PM, Zeine, assures nothing will happen to Bazoum

A reassurance of ousted President Mohamed Bazoum of Niger Republic, who was overthrown during a July 26 coup in a coup.

Niger’s new Prime Minister, Ali Mahaman Lamine Zeine, gave the assurance to reporters on Friday in an interview in Dakar, expressing firm confidence in the non-violent traditions in the country.

Zeine said, “Nothing will happen to him, because we don’t have a tradition of violence in Niger.”

Zeine’s words carry some weight as the most senior civilian appointed by the military leaders, consequently, this is seen as a direct assurance of the ousted President’s well-being.

The new PM’s reaction is coming as reports stated that the coup leaders had cut off water and electricity to Bazoum’s house, where he has been confined since being ousted. There were reports of threats to kill him if other African countries attempted to restore him to power through military intervention.

Also, Nigeria’s President Bola Tinubu raised serious concerns and warned of “grave consequences” if Niger’s military regime allows Bazoum’s health to deteriorate under house arrest, according to a European Union official. These warnings add to the international pressure on Niger’s new leadership to ensure Bazoum’s well-being.

In response to widespread concerns, a spokesperson for UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres answered questions regarding Bazoum’s health and whether he was even still alive.

“I’ve spoken to someone who speaks to him regularly. And, yes, as far as we know, we have no indication to say that he’s not alive. So, as far as I know, he’s alive,” said Stephane Dujarric at the UN headquarters in New York.

Meanwhile, Zeine said the Niger coup leaders had no intention of collaborating with Russia or with Kremlin-backed mercenaries of the Wagner group.

This assurance seems to be an attempt to distance the new regime from any international alliances that might alarm neighboring countries and the wider international community.