The European Union and French President Emmanuel Macron on Saturday urged Niger’s ruling junta to release ousted President Mohamed Bazoum.
This urgent international call arrived exactly two years after the army had arbitrarily detained him, sparking global condemnation.
Mohamed Bazoum and his wife Hadiza remain confined within a wing of the presidential palace, reportedly never leaving the building since his arrest.
The 27-member European Union welcomed the recent liberation of some political prisoners, yet deeply regretted Bazoum’s continued detention and that of others.
Kaja Kallas, the bloc’s top diplomat, explicitly reiterated the EU’s persistent call for the immediate liberation of all individuals held for political reasons.
French President Emmanuel Macron strongly echoed this sentiment on social media, expressing profound concern for President Bazoum’s prolonged captivity.
Months after the coup, Niger’s ruling junta declared its intention to prosecute Bazoum, leveling serious accusations of treason and plotting against the state.
Bazoum’s legal representatives have cautioned that a conviction for treason under the current regime could potentially lead to the imposition of the death penalty.
Last June, a state court controversially established by the regime lifted Bazoum’s presidential immunity, thereby potentially paving the way for a formal trial.
Despite these legal maneuvers, no formal case has yet been opened against the former president, legitimately elected in 2021 and who has not resigned.
The EU statement concluded by affirming its continued availability for a frank, honest, and structured dialogue with Nigerien authorities based on mutual respect.
