Two Years After Niger Coup: Human Rights Erode as Calls Grow for Bazoum’s Release
July 28, 2025 – The military takeover in Niger on 26 July 2023 continues to destabilize the Sahel region, with human rights organizations reporting worsening conditions and intensifying demands for former President Mohamed Bazoum’s freedom.
A Democratic Backslide
Two years after Niger’s military junta seized power, international observers report a dramatic decline in human rights and democratic progress. The self-proclaimed National Council for the Safeguard of the Homeland (CNSP), led by General Abdourahamane Tiani, overthrew the democratically elected government of President Bazoum in 2023, arresting both the president and his wife Hadiza.
Jeffrey Smith of Vanguard Africa told RFI: “The human rights situation in Niger has unequivocally spiraled under military control. Civic space has shrunk considerably, and violations like arbitrary detention have become routine.”
The Plight of Niger’s Former Leader
Bazoum, elected in 2021 to lead one of Africa’s poorest nations with a history of political instability, remains detained at the presidential palace in Niamey without access to legal counsel or family visits. The junta stripped him of presidential immunity in 2024, paving the way for a controversial trial.
Human Rights Watch researcher Ilaria Allegrozzi condemned the situation: “The junta demonstrates contempt for rule of law daily by detaining Bazoum. This politically motivated detention discredits their claims of building democracy.”
International Pressure Mounts
A global Free Bazoum campaign has gained momentum, supported by:
- The African Union
- Former African heads of state
- The Platform for African Democrats
- The United Nations Working Group on Arbitrary Detention
In December 2024, the ECOWAS Court of Justice ruled Bazoum’s detention unlawful, while the UN in February 2025 declared it violated international law.
Regional Implications
The coup has reshaped West African geopolitics:
| Development | Impact |
|---|---|
| Mutual defense pact with Mali and Burkina Faso | Strengthened military alliances |
| Withdrawal from ECOWAS (January 2025) | Isolation from regional economic bloc |
Smith notes: “The junta fears Bazoum’s democratic legitimacy – something they can never achieve. But growing international pressure offers hope for resolution.”
The Road Ahead
As Niger approaches the two-year anniversary of military rule, analysts warn:
- Crackdowns on opposition and media continue
- No credible transition timeline exists
- Human rights conditions deteriorate
Allegrozzi concludes: “Each day of Bazoum’s detention moves Niger further from democracy. The junta should consider what message this sends globally.”
Source: AllAfrica