Latest news with #Bazoum
Express Tribune
3 days ago
- Politics
- Express Tribune
EU, Macron urge Niger junta to free ex-president
He also highlighted the emerging risks of cyberattacks, disinformation campaigns, and terrorism: Photo: Reuters The European Union and French President Emmanuel Macron on Saturday urged Niger's ruling junta to release ousted president Mohamed Bazoum, two years to the day the army detained him. Bazoum has been held, along with his wife Hadiza, in a wing of the presidential palace and according to his lawyers has not left the building in that time. The 27-member bloc said in a statement it welcomed the recent release of some political prisoners but "regretted" the continued detention of Bazoum, 65, and others. "The EU calls again for the release of these people who are being held for political reasons," said the statement from Kaja Kallas, the bloc's top diplomat. Macron also called for Bazoum's release, in a separate statement Saturday.
Int'l Business Times
6 days ago
- Politics
- Int'l Business Times
'Human Shield': Niger's Ousted President Held By Junta
President Mohamed Bazoum has been languishing for two years along with his wife in Niger's presidential palace since his ouster by a junta, which is using them as human shields to avert foreign military intervention to free them, according to the couple's lawyers. They are only allowed medical visits. Their lawyers say they have exhausted all legal recourse and now rely on political action or foreign mediation to secure the couple's release. The junta leader also resides in the presidential palace. On the morning of July 26, 2023, access to the presidential palace was blocked by the president's guard while Bazoum, 65, and Hadiza, 57, were inside. That evening, soldiers announced on television that the government was overthrown. The Bazoums were then confined to a wing of the palace. Two years later, "the detention conditions... have not changed", a source close to Bazoum told AFP. "They are still in two windowless rooms, without access to the outside and without any visitors" except for a doctor once a week, they added. Their activities include reading books brought by the doctor and using a stationary bike. One of Bazoum's lawyers, American Reed Brody, was in contact with him until October 2023 when his phone was confiscated. Since then, the couple has had no connection with the outside world or access to internet or television. Despite suffering from "sleep disorders", they "are fine, they remain in good spirits," Brody added. Their son Salem, 23, was released early last year. Lawyers say the junta offered to have Bazoum's wife released, but she declined. The Bazoums live in the same building as junta leader General Abdourahamane Tiani, said Brody, who is among several sources who suspect Tiani to be using the Bazoum as a "human shield". Shortly after the coup, countries in the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) regional bloc considered military intervention to secure Bazoum's release and restore constitutional order. By detaining Bazoum, "it's a form of insurance against bombing the palace, for example", Brody said. Another source close to Bazoum noted that the president, elected in 2021, has never resigned. "He has convictions and value, he is someone who believes in democracy -- resigning would betray his oath," they said. "The Bazoum case is an exceptional situation," said Seidik Abba, president for the International Center for Studies and Reflections on the Sahel. The NGO Human Rights Watch on Wednesday reiterated a call for Bazoum's release. The junta announced in August 2023 it intended to prosecute Bazoum for "plotting to undermine the state's security and authority" and "treason," the latter being punishable by death. Bazoum has not faced any formal legal proceedings but his diplomatic immunity was lifted last year. A preliminary investigation had been opened and Bazoum has been questioned. Brody claims the junta's leaders "do not want to initiate a real judicial process because it would involve transferring the president to prison". "We are convinced they want to keep him close to the general," he said. Following the lifting of Bazoum's immunity, his lawyers tried in vain to attain his automatic release, the judicial source said. Bazoum's lawyers have launched multiple proceedings with international bodies, including the ECOWAS regional court and the United Nations. Niger has quit ECOWAS. Both organisations have declared his detention "arbitrary" and demanded his release. "We have won across the board," but "legal avenues are exhausted," said Brody, who now hopes for political action. Bazoum's detention could serve as a bargaining chip for the junta in negotiations with other countries, several sources have said. According to one source close to the ousted president and analyst Abba, negotiations for Bazoum's release have been ongoing for several months between Qatar and Niger. Mediation by Togo in early 2024 facilitated the release of the couple's son.
France 24
6 days ago
- Politics
- France 24
'Human shield': Niger's ousted president held by junta
They are only allowed medical visits. Their lawyers say they have exhausted all legal recourse and now rely on political action or foreign mediation to secure the couple's release. The junta leader also resides in the presidential palace. What are the detention conditions? On the morning of July 26, 2023, access to the presidential palace was blocked by the president's guard while Bazoum, 65, and Hadiza, 57, were inside. That evening, soldiers announced on television that the government was overthrown. The Bazoums were then confined to a wing of the palace. Two years later, "the detention conditions... have not changed", a source close to Bazoum told AFP. "They are still in two windowless rooms, without access to the outside and without any visitors" except for a doctor once a week, they added. Their activities include reading books brought by the doctor and using a stationary bike. One of Bazoum's lawyers, American Reed Brody, was in contact with him until October 2023 when his phone was confiscated. Since then, the couple has had no connection with the outside world or access to internet or television. Despite suffering from "sleep disorders", they "are fine, they remain in good spirits," Brody added. Their son Salem, 23, was released early last year. Lawyers say the junta offered to have Bazoum's wife released, but she declined. The Bazoums live in the same building as junta leader General Abdourahamane Tiani, said Brody, who is among several sources who suspect Tiani to be using the Bazoum as a "human shield". Shortly after the coup, countries in the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) regional bloc considered military intervention to secure Bazoum's release and restore constitutional order. By detaining Bazoum, "it's a form of insurance against bombing the palace, for example", Brody said. Another source close to Bazoum noted that the president, elected in 2021, has never resigned. "He has convictions and value, he is someone who believes in democracy -- resigning would betray his oath," they said. "The Bazoum case is an exceptional situation," said Seidik Abba, president for the International Center for Studies and Reflections on the Sahel. The NGO Human Rights Watch on Wednesday reiterated a call for Bazoum's release. What about justice? The junta announced in August 2023 it intended to prosecute Bazoum for "plotting to undermine the state's security and authority" and "treason," the latter being punishable by death. Bazoum has not faced any formal legal proceedings but his diplomatic immunity was lifted last year. A preliminary investigation had been opened and Bazoum has been questioned. Brody claims the junta's leaders "do not want to initiate a real judicial process because it would involve transferring the president to prison". "We are convinced they want to keep him close to the general," he said. Following the lifting of Bazoum's immunity, his lawyers tried in vain to attain his automatic release, the judicial source said. What is the global community doing? Bazoum's lawyers have launched multiple proceedings with international bodies, including the ECOWAS regional court and the United Nations. Niger has quit ECOWAS. Both organisations have declared his detention "arbitrary" and demanded his release. "We have won across the board," but "legal avenues are exhausted," said Brody, who now hopes for political action. Bazoum's detention could serve as a bargaining chip for the junta in negotiations with other countries, several sources have said. According to one source close to the ousted president and analyst Abba, negotiations for Bazoum's release have been ongoing for several months between Qatar and Niger. Mediation by Togo in early 2024 facilitated the release of the couple's son. © 2025 AFP
Yahoo
02-04-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Niger's junta frees dozens of former officials and military officers detained after 2023 coup
NIAMEY, Niger (AP) — Niger's military junta has freed dozens of former government officials and military officers detained after a coup in 2023 as part of what military authorities have described as efforts to reform the country. The officials were released from prisons with immediate effect "in accordance with recommendations from the national reform conference,' according to a statement read on state television late Tuesday, referring to a recent conference that also set out how the country may transition to democratic rule. Some of the officials had worked in the cabinet of the deposed administration of President Mohamed Bazoum. Among those freed were Mahamane Sani Issoufou, former oil minister and son of ex-president Mahamadou Issoufou, and Foumakoye Gado, president of the Nigerien Party for Democracy and Socialism, the ruling party under Bazoum's administration. Activists and at least one journalist were also freed, as well as military officials in detention before the coup, including those accused of attempting to overthrow Bazoum's government. Others have been detained for much longer for other alleged offences, including 'conspiracy against state security." Their freedom came days after junta leader Abdourahamane Tchiani was sworn as the country's president for a transition period of five years under a new charter that replaced the West African nation's constitution.
Yahoo
02-04-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Niger's military leaders free ministers, but not ousted president
Niger's military leaders have released more than 50 detainees, including former ministers in the government they toppled in 2023. Among them are the former ministers of defence, oil and finance, as well as several senior army officers, convicted or accused of plotting previous coups. Ousted President Mohamed Bazoum, who has been under house arrest since the 2023 military takeover, was not on the list of those released despite international calls for him to be freed. When the BBC asked about President Bazoum's continued detention, Justice Minister Aliyou Daouda cited "national security and sovereignty" concerns. Niger coup leader sworn in as president for five years How has Niger changed since the coup? Three military-run states leave West African bloc - what will change? "The question of his release is an internal matter in Niger and only concerns Niger," Justice Minister Aliyou Daouda told the BBC. Bazoum is accused of undermining national security and high treason. The release of the others is among the recommendations of a national conference held in February, along with extending the rule of General Abdourahamane Tiani by five years. The freed ministers and officials were arrested after the July 2023 coup which brought General Tchiani to power, and had been held for alleged conspiracy to undermine state security and authority. This move could be an attempt by the junta to reconcile the country and gain popular support. Similar amnesties have been granted by military governments in Burkina Faso and Guinea. The region with more 'terror deaths' than rest of world combined 'France takes us for idiots' - Inside coup-hit Niger Why young Africans are celebrating military takeovers Go to for more news from the African continent. Follow us on Twitter @BBCAfrica, on Facebook at BBC Africa or on Instagram at bbcafrica Africa Daily Focus on Africa
