One year after a coup in Niger Republic, the ousted president Mohamed Bazoum is still being held under strict detention in Niamey by the ruling military — and the prospect of a looming trial worries those close to him.
Bazoum was feted in 2021 after winning elections that ushered in Niger’s first peaceful transition of power.
He took the helm of a country burdened by four previous coups since independence from France in 1960.
Bazoum who was overthrown on July 26, 2023 by General Abdourahamane Tiani, the head of his presidential guard, was never resigned and still claims to be president of the Sahelian country.
The former President was placed under house arrest along with his family.
Junta authorities accused him of “high treason” and undermining national security, and initiated legal proceedings earlier this year to remove his immunity in a newly created State Court, which has now become the country’s highest judicial authority.
Officials from the country’s Justice Department (ministère de la Justice), prayed the apex Court to strip Bazoum of his immunity to enable the state prefer charges of treasonable felony against him.
The development followed the pressing demands from the international community, for the detained Bazoum, his family members and cabinet officials to be freed unconditionally.
The 22-member “Cour d’Etat” presided by Justice Abdou Dangaladima, which considered the request of the country’s Minister of Justice, has reserved April 10, 2024 to deliver judgement on the matter.
The move, as expected has polarised the citizens, as some have welcomed the development while others feel it was a political witch-hunt.
“I see nothing wrong about the move,” an activist, Mahamadou tchiroma Aissami said.
However, one of Bazoum’s supporters Sahanine Mahamadou, who feels the move was politically motivated said, “We can only hope that justice would be served.”
Earlier, Bazoum’s legal team, led by Moussa Coulibaly had asked for time to study the case and to brief his client; but the court declined and ruled that it would deliver judgement in five days.
Niger’s Supreme Court in June lifted the immunity of Mohamed Bazoum, paving the way for the military junta to prosecute him for alleged high treason.
The military junta ordered the withdrawal of Western troops from the country and turned to the Russian mercenary group Wagner for security assistance. U.S. forces are poised to leave by the middle of September, the Pentagon said earlier this month.
The State Court proceedings were fraught with irregularities, according to Human Rights Watch, including violations of Bazoum’s rights to present evidence in his defense, to communicate with his legal counsel, and to be heard by an independent court.
Bazoum’s lawyer, Reed Brody, decried the ruling as a “mockery” of the rule of law in Niger, stating “We never even got to speak to our client. This is a travesty of justice.”
Saharareporters
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