Niger's detained president Mohamed Bazoum&nbsp;was seen by his doctor on Saturday amid rising concerns for his health condition, said his entourage.&nbsp;

63-year-old, Mohamed Bazoum was overthrown on July 26 by his presidential guard which has since held him and his family in detention at his official residence in the capital Niamey.

The European Union, the African Union and the United Nations joined others in raising concerns for Bazoum after reports describing deteriorating detention conditions emerged on Friday.

As per news agency AFP reports, a member of his entourage told that Bazoum "had a visit by his doctor today", further adding that the physician had also brought food for Bazoum, his wife and son. "He's fine, given the situation," the source added.

Earlier this week, Human Rights Watch said that it spoke with Bazoum. The ousted leader described the treatment meted to&nbsp;him, his wife and their unwell 20-year-old son as "inhuman and cruel", said HRW.

"I'm not allowed to receive my family members (or) my friends who have been bringing food and other supplies to us," the group quoted him as saying.

"My son is sick, has a serious heart condition, and needs to see a doctor," he was quoted as saying. "They've refused to let him get medical treatment."

UN rights chief Volker Turk on Friday said Bazoum's reported detention conditions "could amount to inhuman and degrading treatment, in violation of international human rights law".

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Top United States diplomat Antony Blinken said that he was "dismayed" by the military's refusal to release Bazoum's family as a "demonstration of goodwill".

Last week, CNN reported that Bazoum was being kept secluded and was forced to eat dry rice and pasta by the ones who toppled him.

<h2>Niger coup leaders threaten to kill ousted prez Bazoum</h2>

With the prospect of military intervention by the Western African leaders looming large, reports have emerged that the Niger coup leaders have threatened to kill ousted President Mohamed Bazoum if the neighbouring countries resort to any&nbsp;forceful steps for restoring his rule.

During a meeting with US Under Secretary of State Victoria Nuland, the Niger military leaders said they would kill Bazoum if the West African bloc ECOWAS uses any military force, news agency AP citing two Western officials reported on Thursday (Aug 10).

The report comes hours after the 15-member Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) reiterated its earlier threat and ordered the activation of its standby force.

(With inputs from agencies)

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Niger's detained president Mohamed Bazoum was seen by his doctor on Saturday amid rising concerns for his health condition, said his entourage. 63-year-old, Mohamed Bazoum was overthrown on July 26 by his presidential guard which has since held him and his family in detention at his official residence in the capital Niamey.

Niger's detained president Mohamed Bazoum was seen by his doctor on Saturday amid rising concerns for his health condition, said his entourage. 63-year-old, Mohamed Bazoum was overthrown on July 26 by his presidential guard which has since held him and his family in detention at his official residence in the capital Niamey. The European Union, the African Union and the United Nations joined others in raising concerns for Bazoum after reports describing deteriorating detention conditions emerged on Friday. As per news agency AFP reports, a member of his entourage told that Bazoum "had a visit by his doctor today", further adding that the physician had also brought food for Bazoum, his wife and son. "He's fine, given the situation," the source added. Earlier this week, Human Rights Watch said that it spoke with Bazoum. The ousted leader described the treatment meted to him, his wife and their unwell 20-year-old son as "inhuman and cruel", said HRW. "I'm not allowed to receive my family members (or) my friends who have been bringing food and other supplies to us," the group quoted him as saying. "My son is sick, has a serious heart condition, and needs to see a doctor," he was quoted as saying. "They've refused to let him get medical treatment." UN rights chief Volker Turk on Friday said Bazoum's reported detention conditions "could amount to inhuman and degrading treatment, in violation of international human rights law". Also read: Six killed, 55 rescued after boat carrying migrants capsizes in Channel Top United States diplomat Antony Blinken said that he was "dismayed" by the military's refusal to release Bazoum's family as a "demonstration of goodwill". Last week, CNN reported that Bazoum was being kept secluded and was forced to eat dry rice and pasta by the ones who toppled him. Niger coup leaders threaten to kill ousted prez Bazoum With the prospect of military intervention by the Western African leaders looming large, reports have emerged that the Niger coup leaders have threatened to kill ousted President Mohamed Bazoum if the neighbouring countries resort to any forceful steps for restoring his rule. During a meeting with US Under Secretary of State Victoria Nuland, the Niger military leaders said they would kill Bazoum if the West African bloc ECOWAS uses any military force, news agency AP citing two Western officials reported on Thursday (Aug 10). The report comes hours after the 15-member Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) reiterated its earlier threat and ordered the activation of its standby force. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Detained Niger president Mohamed Bazoum seen by doctor: Report

Niger's newly-elected president Mohamed Bazoum is set to be sworn into office on Friday, a democratic watershed overshadowed by jihadist violence and alleged coup bid two days ago.

The inauguration will mark the first-ever transition between elected presidents in Niger's six decades of independence from France -- a historic moment that has been widely praised.

But the Sahel country's instability and insecurity have been deeply underscored in the runup to Friday's ceremony.

In the early hours of Wednesday, after gunfire broke out near the presidency in the capital Niamey, the government announced an "attempted coup" had been thwarted -- a "cowardly and regressive act which sought to threaten democracy and the state of law".&nbsp;&nbsp;

The alleged coup leader is an air force officer in charge of security at Niamey's air base and is being "actively sought", a source within Niger's security services told AFP on Wednesday.

Another security source said "a few members of the army" had been behind the coup but had been prevented from approaching the presidential palace by the elite Presidential Guard.

"Some arrests" were made, the source said.

UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres was among worried foreign leaders, calling the armed forces "to strictly abide by their constitutional obligations".&nbsp;

- World's poorest country -

Bazoum, 60, &nbsp;is a former interior minister and right-hand man of outgoing president Mahamadou Issoufou, 68, who has voluntarily stepped down after two five-year terms.

Bazoum won a runoff vote for the presidency in February with 55.6 percent of the ballot, according to official results contested by his opponent, Mahamane Ousmane.

But his most formidable rival, former premier Hama Amadou, was banned from running because of a conviction for baby trafficking -- a charge he has branded politically motivated.

Niger is the poorest country in the world, according to the benchmark of the UN's 189-nation Human Development Index (HDI).

The West African nation has suffered four coups in its history, most recently a February 2010 putsch which toppled then president Mamadou Tandja.

It has also been ravaged by repeated jihadist attacks, from insurgents who have advanced from Mali in the west and Nigeria in the southeast.

More than 300 people have been killed in three attacks in the west since the start of the year. 
&nbsp;

Niger's newly-elected president Mohamed Bazoum is set to be sworn into office on Friday, a democratic watershed overshadowed by jihadist violence and alleged coup bid two days ago.

Niger's newly-elected president Mohamed Bazoum is set to be sworn into office on Friday, a democratic watershed overshadowed by jihadist violence and alleged coup bid two days ago. The inauguration will mark the first-ever transition between elected presidents in Niger's six decades of independence from France -- a historic moment that has been widely praised. But the Sahel country's instability and insecurity have been deeply underscored in the runup to Friday's ceremony. In the early hours of Wednesday, after gunfire broke out near the presidency in the capital Niamey, the government announced an "attempted coup" had been thwarted -- a "cowardly and regressive act which sought to threaten democracy and the state of law". The alleged coup leader is an air force officer in charge of security at Niamey's air base and is being "actively sought", a source within Niger's security services told AFP on Wednesday. Another security source said "a few members of the army" had been behind the coup but had been prevented from approaching the presidential palace by the elite Presidential Guard. "Some arrests" were made, the source said. UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres was among worried foreign leaders, calling the armed forces "to strictly abide by their constitutional obligations". - World's poorest country - Bazoum, 60, is a former interior minister and right-hand man of outgoing president Mahamadou Issoufou, 68, who has voluntarily stepped down after two five-year terms. Bazoum won a runoff vote for the presidency in February with 55.6 percent of the ballot, according to official results contested by his opponent, Mahamane Ousmane. But his most formidable rival, former premier Hama Amadou, was banned from running because of a conviction for baby trafficking -- a charge he has branded politically motivated. Niger is the poorest country in the world, according to the benchmark of the UN's 189-nation Human Development Index (HDI). The West African nation has suffered four coups in its history, most recently a February 2010 putsch which toppled then president Mamadou Tandja. It has also been ravaged by repeated jihadist attacks, from insurgents who have advanced from Mali in the west and Nigeria in the southeast. More than 300 people have been killed in three attacks in the west since the start of the year.

Niger president to be sworn in after 'attempted coup'

Niger voted&nbsp;Sunday in a presidential run-off between two political heavyweights that is set to bring about the first democratic transition of power in the coup-prone country's history.

The world's poorest nation according to the UN's development benchmark covering 189 countries, Niger is also struggling with jihadist insurgencies that have spilled over from Mali and Nigeria.

Only 7.4 million of the country's 22 million population are eligible to vote on Sunday -- the rest are under-age.

Thousands of soldiers are deployed nationwide for the vote, which is on track to usher in a peaceful handover between elected presidents, its first since independence from France in 1960.

Outgoing President Mahamadou Issoufou's decision to voluntarily step down after two five-year terms was welcomed in a region where many leaders have tried to cling on to power.

"I'm proud to be the first democratically elected president in our history to be able to pass the baton to another democratically elected president," Issoufou said as he voted at city hall in capital Niamey.

His successor will either be his right-hand man and anointed successor Mohamed Bazoum or Mahamane Ousmane, who became the country's first democratically- elected president in 1993, only to be toppled in a coup three years later.

Ousmane, 71, is running for president for the fifth time since his ouster.

- Veterans -

Both candidates are stalwarts of Niger's political scene.&nbsp;

One voter, 29-year-old student Idrissa Gado, said the election is a "source of pride" for Nigeriens.

"The next president must act against the rebels, it's the great concern in Niger that must be dealt with, we want peace and security," said as he cast his ballot in Niamey.

Whoever wins, 42-year-old tile-layer Ibrahim Kadi Mahmane said he hoped the new leader "doesn't forget the poor and the people living in villages".

Winning votes alone has not always led to power in Niger -- there have been four military coups and six elections since independence.

But political alliances will loom large on Sunday, when Bazoum will be the strong favourite after winning 39.3 percent of the first round vote on December 27.

"I hope that luck will be with the winner... I have many reasons to believe it's indeed on my side," Bazoum said as he voted in the capital Niamey.

The 60-year-old former interior minister has already sealed the support of the candidates who came third and fourth in the first round.

"Bazoum has a coalition that is expected to win if the voting instructions of the parties which support him are respected by their activists," said Ibrahim Yahya Ibrahim of the International Crisis Group think-tank.

But, he cautioned, it was "very far from being won".

Ousmane took nearly 17 percent in the first round.

He can count on the support of a coalition of 18 opposition parties called Cap 20-21 as well as Hama Amadou, who had previously been thought to be the most formidable candidate against Bazoum.

Amadou was ruled out from running due to a prison sentence for baby trafficking which he has slammed as politically motivated.

The opposition filed an unsuccessful appeal against the result of the first round, claiming fraud, but has since given up its boycott of the CENI independent electoral commission.

A diplomatic source, speaking on condition of anonymity, said the concern was not so much "unfair practices" but the ruling party's imposing electoral machine.

The elections "aren't perfect, at least they are elections", the source said.

CENI nevertheless warned Sunday that "fake ballot papers" had been distributed in some parts of the country.

- Vast challenges -

Bazoum has campaigned on continuity with the previous regime, which has promised development in a country struggling with the highest birthrate in the world -- an average of seven children per woman.

"To absorb this population growth would take incredible economic growth," a Western diplomatic source said.

An immense security challenge also awaits whoever emerges as victor.&nbsp;

A brutal jihadist insurgency is intensifying in the country's west, while Islamist militants from the Nigerian movement Boko Haram wage incessant attacks in the southeast.

Like its Sahel neighbours Mali and Burkina Faso, Niger is increasingly struggling to cope.

Hundreds of troops have been killed and hundreds of thousands of people have fled their homes.

Polling stations opened at 8:00 am (0700 GMT) and were scheduled to close at 7:00 pm.

Niger voted Sunday in a presidential run-off between two political heavyweights that is set to bring about the first democratic transition of power in the coup-prone country's history.

Niger voted Sunday in a presidential run-off between two political heavyweights that is set to bring about the first democratic transition of power in the coup-prone country's history. The world's poorest nation according to the UN's development benchmark covering 189 countries, Niger is also struggling with jihadist insurgencies that have spilled over from Mali and Nigeria. Only 7.4 million of the country's 22 million population are eligible to vote on Sunday -- the rest are under-age. Thousands of soldiers are deployed nationwide for the vote, which is on track to usher in a peaceful handover between elected presidents, its first since independence from France in 1960. Outgoing President Mahamadou Issoufou's decision to voluntarily step down after two five-year terms was welcomed in a region where many leaders have tried to cling on to power. "I'm proud to be the first democratically elected president in our history to be able to pass the baton to another democratically elected president," Issoufou said as he voted at city hall in capital Niamey. His successor will either be his right-hand man and anointed successor Mohamed Bazoum or Mahamane Ousmane, who became the country's first democratically- elected president in 1993, only to be toppled in a coup three years later. Ousmane, 71, is running for president for the fifth time since his ouster. - Veterans - Both candidates are stalwarts of Niger's political scene. One voter, 29-year-old student Idrissa Gado, said the election is a "source of pride" for Nigeriens. "The next president must act against the rebels, it's the great concern in Niger that must be dealt with, we want peace and security," said as he cast his ballot in Niamey. Whoever wins, 42-year-old tile-layer Ibrahim Kadi Mahmane said he hoped the new leader "doesn't forget the poor and the people living in villages". Winning votes alone has not always led to power in Niger -- there have been four military coups and six elections since independence. But political alliances will loom large on Sunday, when Bazoum will be the strong favourite after winning 39.3 percent of the first round vote on December 27. "I hope that luck will be with the winner... I have many reasons to believe it's indeed on my side," Bazoum said as he voted in the capital Niamey. The 60-year-old former interior minister has already sealed the support of the candidates who came third and fourth in the first round. "Bazoum has a coalition that is expected to win if the voting instructions of the parties which support him are respected by their activists," said Ibrahim Yahya Ibrahim of the International Crisis Group think-tank. But, he cautioned, it was "very far from being won". Ousmane took nearly 17 percent in the first round. He can count on the support of a coalition of 18 opposition parties called Cap 20-21 as well as Hama Amadou, who had previously been thought to be the most formidable candidate against Bazoum. Amadou was ruled out from running due to a prison sentence for baby trafficking which he has slammed as politically motivated. The opposition filed an unsuccessful appeal against the result of the first round, claiming fraud, but has since given up its boycott of the CENI independent electoral commission. A diplomatic source, speaking on condition of anonymity, said the concern was not so much "unfair practices" but the ruling party's imposing electoral machine. The elections "aren't perfect, at least they are elections", the source said. CENI nevertheless warned Sunday that "fake ballot papers" had been distributed in some parts of the country. - Vast challenges - Bazoum has campaigned on continuity with the previous regime, which has promised development in a country struggling with the highest birthrate in the world -- an average of seven children per woman. "To absorb this population growth would take incredible economic growth," a Western diplomatic source said. An immense security challenge also awaits whoever emerges as victor. A brutal jihadist insurgency is intensifying in the country's west, while Islamist militants from the Nigerian movement Boko Haram wage incessant attacks in the southeast. Like its Sahel neighbours Mali and Burkina Faso, Niger is increasingly struggling to cope. Hundreds of troops have been killed and hundreds of thousands of people have fled their homes. Polling stations opened at 8:00 am (0700 GMT) and were scheduled to close at 7:00 pm.

Niger political veterans face off in presidential vote

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Detained Niger president Mohamed Bazoum seen by doctor: Report

Niger president to be sworn in after 'attempted coup'

Niger political veterans face off in presidential vote