Niger's Detained Officials Remain Inaccessible, Raising Concerns

Human rights activists in Niger are being denied access to top political officials who were detained after a coup ousted the country's democratically elected president. The military junta, which has held President Mohamed Bazoum and his family under house arrest, plans to prosecute him for "high treason" and undermining state security. The coup has drawn international condemnation, with the West African regional bloc ECOWAS threatening military force if Bazoum is not reinstated. The junta has sent mixed signals about negotiating a peaceful resolution and has refused to allow an ECOWAS mediation team into the country. Meanwhile, pro-junta demonstrations take place in Niger's capital, and the junta leader in neighboring Mali has had a telephone call with Russian President Vladimir Putin to discuss the situation.