Niger’s president is in “good spirits” despite being held in “difficult” conditions by the junta that deposed him, according to his doctor after a visit.

Mohamed Bazoum, his son and wife have been held in the basement of his palace in Niamey since the coup on 26 July.

He said “Living conditions however remain difficult, with the electricity still cut off in the country. 

Mr Bazoum, who is 63, is reported to have lost a “worrying” amount of weight, while his 20-year-old son, who has a chronic medical condition, was also reportedly denied care.

Meanwhile, a planned meeting by West African chiefs of defence staff to discuss the coup in Niger was postponed at the weekend.

The talks – called by Ecowas – had been expected to take place in the Ghanaian capital, Accra, on Saturday.

No reason was given for the delay.