Niamey, Niger CNN —Mohamed Bazoum, the democratically elected president of Niger, said he is being kept isolated and forced to eat dry rice and pasta by the military junta who overthrew him and are refusing to cede power despite international pressure.
Nigeria supplies much of neighboring Niger’s electricity but cut off the power in response to the coup.
All of the perishable food he was supplied with has since gone bad, and he is now eating dry pasta and rice.
Nuland’s meeting Monday with senior coup leaders lasted more two hours, consisting of “extremely frank and at times quite difficult” conversations.
CNN has requested comment from the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the French military.
Persons:
Niger CNN — Mohamed Bazoum, Bazoum, president’s, State Victoria Nuland, Antony Blinken –, Abdourahamane Tiani, ”, Maj, Amadou Abradamane, Abradamane
Organizations:
Niger CNN, CNN, State Victoria, State Department, Protesters, Getty, United Nations, Economic, West African States, ECOWAS, Junta, TV5, Nigerien, Resistance Council, Republic, French Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Locations:
Niamey, Niger, Nigeria, Nigerien, France, N’djamena