Faith Nyasuguta
Niger’s President Mohamed Bazoum, ousted in a coup on July 26, enters his 84th day in detention with his wife and son on Tuesday. He remains steadfast in his refusal to step down, pinning his hopes on a favorable court outcome.
Despite numerous pleas from countries and institutions for his release, the ruling military regime stands firm for now.
ABOUT 3 MONTHS IN DETENTION
Following the coup on July 26, Mohamed Bazoum, along with his wife Haziza and son Salem, has been confined to his residence within the presidential palace.
“His situation has not changed,” says his Senegalese lawyer Mohamed Seydou Diagne.
As per statements from individuals close to him interviewed by AFP, he remains “isolated without electricity” and experiences sporadic access to water.
“He receives fresh food supplies every other day and regular visits from his doctor,” says one of these sources, who adds that he is doing well, as are his wife and son.
“He’s as strong as ever. He’s not going to resign,” insists another source close to him.
In early August, Mohamed Bazoum described himself as a “hostage” in an article for the Washington Post, and described his family’s treatment as “inhuman and cruel” to the NGO Human Rights Watch.
SENDING CASE TO COURTS
Mohamed Bazoum on September 18, decided to refer his case to the West African courts to demand his release and the restoration of constitutional order in Niger.
“When you file a petition, the opposing party has one month to respond. At the end of this period, the Ecowas Court of Justice sets a date for the hearing,” explained Me Diagne..
“There is a main petition accompanied by an accelerated petition so that the Court can schedule a hearing within a few weeks”, he continued.
A group of lawyers mandated by one of Mohamed Bazoum’s daughters had announced in early October their intention to lodge a complaint against the military regime in Niamey, but this has still not been filed, according to one of the lawyers.
GLOBAL ASSISTANCE
Niger’s Western allies, including France and the United States, as well as the United Nations, promptly denounced the coup d’état. They voiced their backing for Mohamed Bazoum and called for his immediate release.
A few days later, ECOWAS adopted the same position and threatened Niger with armed intervention.
Although this option is officially still on the table, it has not yet been implemented.
France, one of Mohamed Bazoum’s most fervent supporters, began withdrawing its 1,400 or so soldiers from the anti-jihadist campaign on October 9, and sent its ambassador to Niamey, Sylvain Itté, back to Paris at the end of September, two demands made by the regime.
“The issue remains the release of Bazoum and the restoration of civilian power in Niger. And so the need also remains for coordinated pressure with partners in the region on the de facto authorities”, affirms a French diplomatic source.
On the US side, Secretary of State Antony Blinken spoke on the phone to Mr. Bazoum on Monday to reaffirm his support for his return to power, and the US suspended aid to Niger the following day.
So far, Mohamed Bazoum is the fifth Nigerien president to be overthrown by a putsch since the country gained independence from France in 1960.
The first president, Hamani Diori, overthrown in 1974, was imprisoned and then placed under house arrest for several years before being released in 1987 and leaving the country for Morocco.
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