From Aidoghie Paulinus, Abuja
The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Yusuf Tuggar, has commended the release of Hadiza Bazoum, the wife of former President of Niger, Mohammad Bazoum and son, Salem, from house arrest by the National Council for the Safeguard of the Homeland, the ruling military junta in Niger.
Tuggar, in a statement by his media aide, Alkasim Abdulkadir, said it was a logical step in bringing normalcy back to the country and the region in general.
Tuggar who is also the Chairperson of the Mediation and Security Council, reiterated the call to the government led by General Abdourahamane Tchiani to hasten the release of Mohammed Bazoum from its custody.
Tuggar also reiterated the call to allow Bazoum to fly to a third country as a step towards further talks on lifting sanctions and to initiate the transition to constitutional rule in the interest of the people, peace and stability of Niger and the region.
Bazoum, the 10th President and first Arab President of the Republic of Niger, was overthrown on July 26, 2023, by members of the Presidential Guard and the armed forces led by General Abdourahamane Tchiani.
Since then, the regional bloc, the Economic Community of West African States, has been at the forefront of restoring constitutional order in Niger.