NIGER’S ousted President Mohamed Bazoum may face the death penalty, according to his lawyer, as the country marks a year since the coup that removed him from power, according to a BBC report. Last month, Niger’s top court stripped Bazoum of his immunity from prosecution, paving the way for him to be tried for treason and other alleged offenses, which carry the death penalty.
Since the coup, Bazoum, 64, and his wife Hadiza have been held in detention without telephone access and limited visits from a doctor, lawyer Moussa Coulibaly said told the BBC. Despite international calls for their release, including from France earlier this week, junta leader Gen Abdourahamane Tiani delivered a defiant TV address, asserting that no foreign state or organisation can dictate Niger’s actions.
In addition to Bazoum, at least 30 former government officials and associates of the ousted president, as well as several journalists, have been arbitrarily detained, according to a joint report by Human Rights Watch, Amnesty International, and the International Federation for Human Rights. ‘It is safe to say that there is no longer any rule of law in Niger,’ Coulibaly, the ex-president’s lawyer and former head of Niger’s Bar Association, told the BBC. The removal of Bazoum’s immunity suggests he may face a biased trial in a special court, risking execution if convicted.
Gen Tchiani’s recent TV address was directed at both France, the former colonial power, and Nigerien citizens. ‘Those who fantasise about the imminent return to power of regimes that have fallen under their sway are in for a rude awakening,’ he declared, emphasising Niger’s pursuit of full sovereignty. He asserted that no state or organisation will dictate Niger’s strategic or diplomatic partnerships.
Since taking power, Niger’s military rulers have shifted alliances towards Russia, severing defence and diplomatic ties with France. Promising improved security, a new security alliance was announced earlier this month between Niger, Burkina Faso, and Mali, as they withdrew from the wider West African bloc, ECOWAS. However, Islamist militant attacks and security challenges persist, frustrating citizens, according to reports.
The media landscape has also suffered under military rule, with news outlets restricted to reporting military successes and relying on local activists for accurate information, explained analyst Beverly Ochieng on the BBC’s Global Jigsaw podcast. Rights groups report a crackdown on independent media and peaceful dissent, with much of the Sahel region, governed by military juntas, becoming a ‘no-news zone,’ according to Reporters Without Borders.
Meanwhile, the US has announced it will withdraw its remaining 1,000 troops from Niger by August, a month earlier than planned. The West African nation had served as a primary base for monitoring regional jihadist activity, but that arrangement ended following tense talks with the new administration.
Context and reactions
The situation in Niger has drawn significant international attention and concern. Human rights organisations have condemned the arbitrary detentions and the potential trial of Bazoum, highlighting the lack of due process and the risk of politically motivated prosecutions.
Niger’s pivot towards Russia and the rejection of traditional Western alliances reflect broader geopolitical shifts in the region. The military government’s decision to align more closely with Russia follows a pattern seen in other Sahelian countries, where military juntas have also sought support from Moscow. This realignment has significant implications for regional security and international relations.
Human rights concerns
Human rights groups are particularly alarmed by the deteriorating situation for journalists and civil society in Niger. The crackdown on independent media has stifled critical reporting and left citizens with limited access to unbiased information. Reporters Without Borders has noted that the Sahel region is becoming increasingly hostile to journalists, making it difficult to cover conflicts and human rights abuses accurately.
The arbitrary detentions of government officials, journalists, and activists have created an atmosphere of fear and repression. Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch have called for the immediate release of all those detained without due process and have urged the international community to hold the Nigerien government accountable for its actions.
Economic and security challenges
The economic and security situation in Niger remains precarious. The promise of improved security by the military government has not materialised, with ongoing Islamist militant attacks causing significant distress. The new security alliance with Burkina Faso and Mali aims to strengthen regional cooperation, but it remains to be seen whether this will translate into tangible improvements on the ground.
Niger’s economic woes are compounded by its political instability. The country, rich in resources like uranium, oil, and gold, has struggled to leverage its natural wealth for broad-based economic development. The current crisis has further strained an already fragile economy, leading to increased hardship for ordinary Nigeriens.
International response
The international response to the situation in Niger has been mixed. While France and other Western countries have called for the restoration of democratic governance and the release of detained officials, their influence has waned due to the Nigerien government’s pivot towards Russia. The United States’ decision to withdraw its troops further complicates the security landscape, as American forces played a crucial role in monitoring and combating jihadist activity in the region.
The African Union and ECOWAS have also expressed concern about the developments in Niger, emphasizing the need for adherence to democratic principles and human rights. However, their capacity to influence the situation is limited, especially given the broader trend of military takeovers in the region.
As Niger marks a year since the coup that ousted President Mohamed Bazoum, the country faces significant challenges on multiple fronts. The threat of a biased trial and possible execution for Bazoum underscores the precarious state of the rule of law in Niger. The military government’s defiance of international pressure and its alignment with Russia represent major shifts in the country’s political and diplomatic landscape.
The ongoing human rights abuses, economic struggles, and security threats highlight the urgent need for a concerted effort to address the root causes of instability in Niger. The international community, regional organisations, and civil society must work together to support a peaceful and democratic resolution to the crisis, ensuring that the rights and freedoms of all Nigeriens are protected.
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