NIGER’S deposed president, who has been in detention since July, has petitioned a regional court demanding his release and reinstatement.
President Mohamed Bazoum, in an application filed this week before the Court of Justice of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), requested an order stating that his detention by Niger’s coup leaders infringes on his fundamental human rights and that he should be reinstated as the country’s democratically elected president.
Speaking through his Senegalese lawyer, Seydou Diagne, the former president said: “We ask (…) faced with the violation of political rights, that the State of Niger be condemned to the immediate restoration of constitutional order through the transfer of power to President Bazoum, who must continue to exercise it until the end of his mandate, the April 2, 2026,” the lawyer told local media.
The complaint was filed on 18 September before the Court and cites as reasons the “arbitrary arrest” and the “violation of the freedom to come and go” of President Mohamed Bazoum, his wife Haziza and his son Salem, who was detained with him in the presidential palace since the coup d’état last July 26th.
According to the lawyer, Niger law does not authorize General Omar Thiani – current leader of the transition – to carry out arrests: the former head of the Presidential Guard was appointed in 2011 precisely to guarantee Bazoum’s safety. In August, the perpetrators of the coup announced their intention to “prosecute” the deposed president for “high treason” and “endangering the security” of the country.
Eighteen-Eleven Media