SW News: The health and safety of Niger's elected President Mohamed Bazoum have been a source of worry for both the US and the UN, which have unanimously urged the immediate release of the ousted head of state and his family, who have been under house arrest for over two weeks.

The United Nations Secretary-General voiced alarm in a statement made on Wednesday about allegations that the president is now running low on essential necessities, including water, food, and medicine.

The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has set a Sunday deadline for the leaders of Niger's coup to resign while they carefully consider all options. Nigerian President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has indicated that a variety of measures, including the use of force as a last resort, are being considered.

Following the military coup on July 26, the President was detained, and despite international pressure, the junta refused to reinstall him.

Meanwhile, the European Union's chief ambassador, Josep Borrell, said that Bazoum and his family had been in a difficult condition for a long time, without access to necessary resources such as food, electricity, and health treatment.

On Tuesday, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken reached out to Bazoum in a diplomatic maneuver, stressing the country's continuous support. The US State Department's spokesman, Matthew Miller, voiced increased alarm over his imprisonment in isolation as the dire situation is growing more concerning as time goes on, he continued.

On the other side, hundreds of pro-coup demonstrators gathered in front of a French army installation in Niamey, Niger, on Friday. This happened while West Africa's regional council started the first steps toward a potential military intervention to restore democratic governance.