Niger: former president bazoum held without charge for two years

Former nigerien president mohamed bazoum remains arbitrarily detained

The military authorities in Niger must immediately release former president Mohamed Bazoum, who has been held without legal justification for two years following the 2023 coup. This urgent call comes from international observers who condemn his prolonged detention without access to family or legal counsel.

Timeline of a political detention

On July 26, 2023, soldiers from Niger‘s self-proclaimed National Council for the Safeguard of the Homeland (CNSP), led by General Abdourahamane Tiani, overthrew Bazoum‘s democratically elected government. The former president and his wife, Hadiza Bazoum, have been held incommunicado at the presidential palace in Niamey ever since.

In 2024, the military junta stripped Bazoum of his presidential immunity, paving the way for politically motivated charges of treason and undermining national security. Despite a December 2023 ruling by the ECOWAS Court of Justice declaring his detention unlawful and demanding his immediate release, the authorities have ignored international legal decisions.

International condemnation and ignored rulings

The United Nations Working Group on Arbitrary Detention concluded in February 2025 that Bazoum‘s detention violates international human rights law. The group called for his unconditional release, yet the military government continues to defy global pressure.

In January 2025, Niger, along with Mali and Burkina Faso, officially withdrew from ECOWAS, further complicating efforts to hold the junta accountable for its actions.

Human rights violations and democratic backsliding

Human rights organizations have documented a systematic crackdown on political opposition, peaceful dissent, and media freedom under the current regime. The prolonged detention of Bazoum—without formal charges or trial—highlights the junta’s disregard for the rule of law and its commitment to delaying a return to civilian rule.

« The military junta’s refusal to release Mohamed Bazoum after two years of unlawful detention sends a dangerous message about its intentions for Niger’s future », stated a senior researcher at a leading human rights organization. « His continued imprisonment undermines any pretense of democratic governance. »

Legal experts representing Bazoum have emphasized the cruelty of his detention, noting that he has been denied contact with his children, supporters, and legal team. Despite multiple international rulings in his favor, the junta has shown no sign of compliance.

What’s next for Niger’s democracy?

The international community continues to urge the Nigerien authorities to adhere to legal and human rights standards. Failure to do so risks further isolating Niger and deepening its democratic crisis.