The military leaders of Niger Republic have agreed to release the ousted president of the country, Mohamed Bazoum, and his wife, Khadija.
Sources say the junta plans to release the ousted president within a few days of Ramadan.
The junta led by General Abdourahamane Tchiani is however faced with a dilemma as Bazoum has insisted to remain within Niger, because, according to him, he has no plans to relocate to any other country.
Bazoum has the backing of Nigeria’s President and Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) leader, Bola Tinubu. France’s President Emmanuel Macron has also thrown his support behind him.
Both leaders are not in the good books of the Niger military government, as evident in the disagreements that ensued since the ouster of Bazoum, including the series of sanctions that slammed Niger Republic, Mali and Burkina Faso.
Niger followed it with the expulsion of French diplomats and turned deaf ears to all the entreaties extended to them by ECOWAS, including the lifting of bans like border closure and a return to the regional body.
Among the concerns of the junta is the likelihood of supporters of the ousted president to stage demonstrations demanding “absolute freedom” for him, since the agreement at the moment is that Bazoum will remain under some sort of house arrest.
Niger tabloid De L’enqueteur, citing credible sources, said, “The couple will have their detention turned to house arrest any moment before the Muslim holy month of Ramadan due to start Monday and Tuesday.”
Bazoum, his wife, and his son, Salem, were detained by the coup leaders who took over in July 2023.
Bazoum’s son was released provisionally by the tribunal on January 9. According to De L’enqueteur, the former head of state could have increased access to means of communication that could allow him to broadcast messages to his supporters and shape public opinion.
Earlier in February, the head of the military government in the Niger Republic, General Tchiani, vowed that none of the three Sahel countries would rejoin the regional bloc.