EU Parliament calls for release of Niger’s ousted president Bazoum

EU Parliament calls for release of Niger’s ousted president Bazoum

By: Zagazola Makama

The European Parliament has adopted a resolution calling for the immediate and unconditional release of Niger’s ousted president, Mohamed Bazoum, and his wife, who have remained in detention since the 2023 Niger coup d’état.

Bazoum, who was democratically elected in Niger’s historic transfer of power in 2021, would have completed his first five-year term in April 2026 if he had not been overthrown by members of his presidential guard.

In a resolution adopted almost unanimously on Friday, the European Parliament condemned the continued detention of Bazoum and his wife by the military authorities currently ruling Niger, describing their detention as arbitrary.

The lawmakers urged the military junta to release the former president immediately and restore constitutional order in the country.

The resolution warned that the international community could consider further sanctions and legal measures against members of the military leadership if the situation persists.

Bazoum and his wife have been held in confinement since July 2023 when soldiers led by Abdourahamane Tiani, the former head of the presidential guard, overthrew the government and suspended the constitution.

The coup drew widespread condemnation from the international community, including ECOWAS, which initially threatened military intervention to restore democratic governance.

However, the proposed intervention was never carried out, and Bazoum has remained in detention while the military authorities consolidated power.

Political observers say the failure of regional and international efforts to secure Bazoum’s release has raised concerns about the weakening of democratic norms in parts of the Sahel.

The European Parliament said the continued detention of the former president represents a violation of democratic principles and human rights, warning that silence or indifference toward such actions could encourage unconstitutional changes of government elsewhere.

The resolution also highlighted the deteriorating political and security situation in Niger since the coup, noting that democratic gains and human rights protections have been undermined under military rule.

Meanwhile, critics have also raised questions about the silence of Mahamadou Issoufou, Bazoum’s long-time political ally and predecessor, who some analysts say has not publicly pressed strongly enough for Bazoum’s release despite their decades-long political relationship.

The European Parliament’s move could revive international attention on Bazoum’s detention and increase diplomatic pressure on the junta to release him and return Niger to constitutional governance.

They also urged African governments and institutions to play a more active role in defending democratic norms and supporting the restoration of civilian rule in Niger.

Bazoum’s supporters continue to call for stronger international mobilisation to secure his freedom and restore the democratic mandate given to him by the Nigerien electorate.

EU Parliament calls for release of Niger’s ousted president Bazoum