Niger‘s President Mohamed Bazoum, who was ousted by a coup d’état on 26th July and has been held captive since, remains steadfast in his determination to preserve democracy, as affirmed by his daughter in a letter published in the French daily, Le Figaro.
Zazia Bazoum Mohamed, residing in Paris, pleads for her father’s release from captivity in the presidential palace and the reinstatement of constitutional order in Niger.
She emphasises her father’s democratic election and his standing as the choice of the people. She believes he has left a positive impact both nationally and internationally, highlighting his focus on combatting corruption and promoting good governance, which has yielded progress on the economic front.
Despite his hostage situation with his family, he stands firm, valuing democratic principles and opposing military regimes. His commitment is not only for Niger’s future but also for the Sahel region and West Africa at large.
Zazia underscores that President Bazoum could have chosen an easier path, sparing his family from suffering and pursuing significant international roles. However, his resolve to protect Niger’s democracy has led him to reject such options.
The soldiers responsible for the coup, which occurred just before the 2021 election in which Bazoum was due to participate, justified their actions by citing the deteriorating security situation.
Zazia dismisses these justifications as entirely baseless. She points out that all the terrorist attacks mentioned by the coup leaders occurred prior to her father’s presidency. Furthermore, those responsible for the coup and the associated problems were already part of the system they criticise.
Moreover, she highlights the alarming surge in terrorist attacks since the country’s takeover, with over seven attacks resulting in numerous casualties in a mere three weeks.
Efforts to resolve the crisis are challenging, as the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) demands the immediate release of Mohamed Bazoum and his reinstatement. However, the military junta remains resistant.
While ECOWAS has contemplated military intervention, diplomacy has been the preferred approach, yet with little success thus far.
Zazia Bazoum Mohamed contemplates a potential connection between her family’s plight and Niger’s imminent transition into an oil-exporting nation in three months’ time.
She suggests that the coup leaders fear that her father, in power, would ensure that the benefits of oil wealth would be directed towards the people of Niger rather than a self-proclaimed elite.
