Former president of Niger detained without charge for two years

Nairobi – Human Rights Watch is calling for the immediate release of Niger’s former president, Mohamed Bazoum, who has been held without legal justification for two years since a military coup removed him from power.

On July 26, 2023, officers from Niger’s self-proclaimed National Council for the Safeguard of the Homeland (CNSP), led by General Abdourahamane Tiani, ousted President Bazoum from office and placed him and his wife, Hadiza Bazoum, under arrest. Since then, the couple has been detained at the presidential palace in Niamey, the nation’s capital, with no contact allowed with family or legal counsel. A looming trial adds to their ordeal after the junta stripped Bazoum of his presidential immunity in early 2024.

The military leadership’s refusal to release Mohamed Bazoum underscores its disregard for the rule of law, according to Ilaria Allegrozzi, a senior Sahel researcher at Human Rights Watch. “Every day that passes without his release demonstrates the junta’s blatant disregard for democratic principles and international human rights standards.”

The junta has publicly accused Bazoum of treason and endangering national security, but no formal charges have been presented in court. In August 2023, officials announced plans to prosecute him for these alleged crimes, yet no preliminary hearings have taken place. By September of the same year, Bazoum filed a complaint with the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Court of Justice, citing severe human rights violations during his detention. In December, the court ruled in his favor, declaring his detention unlawful and demanding his immediate release. However, instead of complying, Niger, Mali, and Burkina Faso announced their withdrawal from ECOWAS in January 2025, further isolating the junta from regional accountability.

In April 2024, authorities initiated legal proceedings to strip Bazoum of his immunity, enabling potential prosecution for alleged crimes committed during his presidency. By June, Niger’s State Court ruled against him following a process widely criticized for failing to meet international fair trial standards. With immunity lifted, the junta now intends to proceed with treason charges, though no trial date has been set.

The United Nations Working Group on Arbitrary Detention, an independent body that investigates unlawful detentions, concluded in February 2025 that Bazoum’s detention violates international human rights law and constitutes a clear case of arbitrary deprivation of liberty. The group called for his immediate release, yet he remains imprisoned without resolution.

Reed Brody, a member of the legal team representing Bazoum, condemned the prolonged detention: “For two years, Mohamed Bazoum has been held in cruel and unlawful confinement, denied access to his children, supporters, and legal advisors. Despite clear rulings from international courts and UN bodies demanding his release, he remains a hostage to military rule.”

Human Rights Watch warns that the junta’s actions reflect a broader pattern of repression, including the suppression of political opposition, peaceful dissent, and media freedom. The military leadership appears determined to maintain power, delaying plans for a democratic transition and credible elections, further distancing Niger from a path toward stability and constitutional governance.

Ilaria Allegrozzi emphasized the broader implications: “Each day Mohamed Bazoum remains detained sends a dangerous signal about the junta’s commitment to democracy and human rights, both within Niger and across the region.”