In a recent development, Nigeria’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Yusuf Tuggar, expressed commendation for the release of the wife and son of former Nigerien President Mohammad Bazoum from house arrest. The Nigerien President and his family had been placed under house arrest by the National Council for the Safeguard of the Homeland, the ruling military junta in Niger, following his overthrow on July 26 last year.
According to a statement issued by the Minister of Foreign Affairs on Tuesday, after months of being held under house arrest, the wife and son have been released. Ambassador Yusuf Tuggar, who also serves as the Chairperson of the Mediation and Security Council of ECOWAS, hailed this move as a “logical step in bringing normalcy back to the country and the region in general.”
Tuggar emphasized the need for the government, led by General Abdourahamane Tchiani, to expedite the release of Mohammed Bazoum from its custody. He called for Bazoum to be allowed to travel to a third country, seeing it as a crucial step towards engaging in further discussions aimed at lifting sanctions and initiating the transition to constitutional rule. This, Tuggar asserted, is in the best interest of the people, peace, and stability of Niger and the wider region.
The release of Bazoum’s family is perceived as a positive development in the ongoing efforts to restore stability and democratic governance in Niger, and the international community, through figures like Ambassador Yusuf Tuggar, is closely monitoring the situation with hopes for continued progress.
