NIGER: Ousted President Mohamed Bazoum Tried to Escape says Military Junta
Former President Mohamed Bazoum's attempt to flee detention has reportedly been thwarted, according to the military government in Niger.
An official from the military stated that the former president made an attempt to escape during the night along with his family, cooks, and security. He said there were plans for the group to take off in helicopters, but those plans were flawed.
Since the military staged a coup on July 26, President Bazoum has been placed under house arrest alongside His wife Haziza and son Salem in the presidential palace and has refused to officially resign.
According to military spokesperson Amadou Abdramane, the attempted escape occurred on Thursday at approximately 03:00am. This information was broadcast on state television. He said that after the escape attempt failed, "the main actors and some of the accomplices" were taken into custody.
Abdramane stated that the complex plan called for Bazoum to travel to a hideout outside of the capital, Niamey. He went on to say that President Bazoum's attitude was "irresponsible" stating that the president intended to take off on helicopters in the direction of Nigeria.
It was reported in September that Bazoum's lawyers had filed a lawsuit against those responsible for his disposal in an Economic Community of West African States court.
Additionally, they declared that they would be bringing his case before the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC).
Mohamed Bazoum wrote that the coup would have "devastating consequences" on the country and the world at large in a piece published in The Washington Post while he was held under house arrest.
After his removal, US President Joe Biden demanded that the Nigerien democracy should be restored with the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS)giving the coup leaders a deadline to resign.
The junta has not acted upon its threats of military intervention, and it is still refusing to grant the president's requests for freedom.