The European Parliament is set to vote on a resolution demanding the release of Niger's President Mohamed Bazoum, who has been detained since a military coup in July 2023.
The European Parliament plans to vote this Thursday on a critical resolution aimed at securing the release of Mohamed Bazoum, who has been held captive in the presidential palace in Niamey since a military coup on July 26, 2023. The resolution, introduced by the European People's Party (EPP) alongside other parliamentary groups, calls on the African Union and the international community to intensify diplomatic efforts for his release.
Bazoum's detention, which has lasted over two and a half years, follows the revocation of his presidential immunity in June 2024. Although the junta has attempted to sentence him to death for treason, he has yet to face trial, a situation highlighted by Le Figaro last summer. The resolution by the European Parliament embodies a growing concern among European lawmakers regarding the state of democracy and human rights in Niger, particularly in light of Bazoum's ongoing captivity.
The implications of this vote extend beyond Bazoum's release; it serves as a litmus test for the European Union's commitment to supporting democratic governance in West Africa. Should the resolution pass, it may put additional pressure on the Nigerien authorities and could influence the trajectory of diplomatic relations between Niger and the EU, as well as the broader international community's stance on military coups and authoritarian regimes in the region.
