Niger junta releases ousted president’s wife and son

January 10, 2024 1

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Niger’s military rulers have reportedly released ousted President Mohamed Bazoum’s wife and son from house arrest.

Bazoum’s wife was released on Tuesday, a day after his son Mohamed Bazoum Salem was also granted release by the military tribunal, privately-owned L’Evenement news journal reported.

They all gained their release from house arrest in the capital Niamey. Salem left for Togo accompanied by Togolese Foreign Minister Robert Dussey but the whereabouts of his mother, Bazoum’s wife is still unknown.

Salem, 23, has been in detention at the presidential residence with his parents since his father was toppled during a military coup in July last year.

Bazoum and his son have all been indicted after the July 26 coup. Salem was charged of conspiracy with the aim of undermining the authority or security of the state.

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There have been widespread call for the release of Bazoum and his family from detention but the Junta refused.

This led to sanctions from the Economic Community of West Africa States (ECOWAS), against Niger and the coup leaders.

The ECOWAS Court of Justice last December also ruled that the family’s detention was arbitrary and ordered Bazoum’s reinstatement.

The court gave the junta one month to say how it will execute the order.

But the release of two members of Bazoum’s family was reportedly part of a deal signed between the junta and Ecowas, according to local media reporting.

The military junta last year said the ousted president would be prosecuted for high treason.

Bazoum is to face prosecution for high treason over his exchanges with foreign heads of state and international organisations while in custody.

He has been in a basement prison since July 26 when the his own presidential guard elements seized power in a coup.