The United Kingdom (UK) has joined the United States of America (USA), France and Germany in condemning the detention of President Mohamed Bazoum by the military junta in Niger Republic, calling for his immediate release.

Bazoum has been under house arrest since the takeover orchestrated by members of his presidential guard on July 26, 2023.

According to the statement, the UK recognises Nigeria’s diplomatic mediation efforts to peacefully restore democracy in Niger, through its leadership of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), and condemned the coup against Niger’s elected leadership.

In a statement by Atinuke Akande-Alegbe, a senior communications officer at the British High Commission, UK said: “We stand with ECOWAS in condemnation of the illegal detention of President Bazoum, his family, and members of the government, as well as the unacceptable conditions under which they are being held, and call for their immediate release.”

This is just as the UK’s Minister for the Armed Forces, James Heappey met with Nigerian defence leaders and military chiefs to discuss the situation in Niger.

During his visit, Heappey met the Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa; and Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-Gen. Taoreed Lagbaja, the Minister of Defence, Abubakar Badaru; and the Minister of State for Defence, Bello Matawalle.

The UK defence chief further met with the President of the ECOWAS Commission, where he reiterated the UK’s support for ECOWAS’ ongoing diplomatic efforts to ensure a peaceful return to democracy in Niger.

The United Kingdom (UK) has joined the United States of America (USA), France and Germany in condemning the detention of President Mohamed Bazoum by the military junta in Niger Republic, calling for his immediate release.

Bazoum has been under house arrest since the takeover orchestrated by members of his presidential guard on July 26, 2023.

According to the statement, the UK recognises Nigeria’s diplomatic mediation efforts to peacefully restore democracy in Niger, through its leadership of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), and condemned the coup against Niger’s elected leadership.

In a statement by Atinuke Akande-Alegbe, a senior communications officer at the British High Commission, UK said: “We stand with ECOWAS in condemnation of the illegal detention of President Bazoum, his family, and members of the government, as well as the unacceptable conditions under which they are being held, and call for their immediate release.”

This is just as the UK’s Minister for the Armed Forces, James Heappey met with Nigerian defence leaders and military chiefs to discuss the situation in Niger.

During his visit, Heappey met the Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa; and Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-Gen. Taoreed Lagbaja, the Minister of Defence, Abubakar Badaru; and the Minister of State for Defence, Bello Matawalle.

The UK defence chief further met with the President of the ECOWAS Commission, where he reiterated the UK’s support for ECOWAS’ ongoing diplomatic efforts to ensure a peaceful return to democracy in Niger.