The United States of America expressed concern for the health of deposed Nigerien President Mohamed Bazoum, who has been detained at his home for more than two weeks.

State Department spokesman said in a statement, "We are deeply concerned about his health and personal safety, as well as the safety of his family."

Previous reports from Reuters cited statements from Bazoum's party indicating that he and his family were under house arrest under "harsh and inhumane" conditions.

Bazoum was ousted in a military coup on the 26th of last month.

Since that day, the military leadership has taken control of the country, detaining Bazoum at the presidential palace, and military council members have not commented on Bazoum's situation.
Washington announced that U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken contacted Bazoum on Tuesday, reassuring him that Washington continues to support him.

State Department spokesman Matthew Miller said, "As time goes on and he remains in detention, our concern increases."

The former ruling party, the Nigerien Democratic and Social Party, stated that Bazoum and his family are not receiving their basic needs, including water, electricity, and proper healthcare.

The statement reiterated what elected Prime Minister Ahmedou Mahamoudou said, that the president, his wife, and their son are being held without water or electricity.

The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) gave the Nigerien military a 7-day ultimatum on July 30 to back down and restore Bazoum to power, but this ultimatum was not complied with, ending last Sunday evening.

Currently, National Guard Commander General Abdourahamane Tchiani is in power, and former finance minister Ali Mahaman Lamine Zeine was appointed as Prime Minister following the coup.

ECOWAS leaders will meet on Thursday to determine the group's position after the ultimatum given to the coup leaders expired.

The coup authorities closed the country's airspace until further notice, justifying this by the threats from ECOWAS to intervene militarily to restore Bazoum.

France denied on Wednesday the military council's accusations of trying to destabilize Niger.

France has hundreds of soldiers in Niger and expressed days ago that it has no intention of withdrawing them.

Coup leaders accused France of having its aircraft breach the country's airspace and claimed that their soldiers had released detained jihadists and encouraged them to attack military camps.

A joint statement from the French Foreign Ministry and the military said, "France strongly denies the unfounded accusations being promoted by the coup leaders in Niger."

The statement confirmed that the flight they claimed violated the country's airspace had obtained the necessary permissions.