France has reiterated its call for the immediate and unconditional release of Niger’s ousted President Mohamed Bazoum, who has been detained for almost a year since his overthrow in a military coup on July 26, 2023.
Bazoum, who was democratically elected in 2021, has been held in “scandalous conditions” without access to legal counsel, according to French Foreign Ministry spokesman Christophe Lemoine.
Lemoine stated, “We have always condemned this detention, we still strongly condemn it and continue to call for his immediate and unconditional release.” He expressed concern about the recent decision to lift Bazoum’s immunity from prosecution, which could worsen his detention conditions.
The military junta, led by General Abdourahamane Tiani, has accused Bazoum of treason and plotting against state security, alleging that he sought foreign support, including from French President Emmanuel Macron and US Secretary of State Antony Blinken, to regain power.
Since the coup, Niger has severed defense ties with France, leading to the withdrawal of French troops who were fighting jihadists in the region. The US is also expected to withdraw its forces by mid-September. Lemoine noted that the junta’s decisions have had “disastrous effects, with a resurgence in terrorist acts.”
Bazoum, who still claims to be Niger’s rightful leader, has been denied contact with lawyers and faces uncertain prospects as the military junta consolidates its power.
