France has called for the immediate and unconditional release of Niger’s ousted president, Mohamed Bazoum, who has been held prisoner for almost a year.
Bazoum was overthrown in a coup on July 26 last year by General Abdourahamane Tiani, the head of his presidential guard.
French Foreign Ministry spokesman Christophe Lemoine condemned Bazoum’s detention, describing it as “scandalous conditions”.
He expressed concern over a decision to lift Bazoum’s immunity from prosecution, which could worsen his detention conditions.
Bazoum, elected in 2021, claims to be Niger’s rightful leader and has never resigned.
He is accused of plotting against state security and treason, with the ruling military alleging he planned an “armed intervention” with French President Emmanuel Macron and US Secretary of State Antony Blinken.
It should be recalled that the ruling military had asked France to remove its troops, who were fighting jihadists, by the end of 2023.
US forces are also expected to leave by mid-September this year.
