The military government in Niger on Friday stated that ousted President Mohamed Bazoum attempted to escape from his residence, a claim firmly denied by his lawyers. Following the attempt, Bazoum’s current whereabouts are undisclosed.
Bazoum has been under house arrest since July 26, 2023 when a military coup overturned his government. A report by the National Council for the Protection of the Fatherland (CNSP) indicates that Bazoum alongside his family, their cooks, and the security staff tried to flee the residence at 3 AM to a designated unmarked vehicle.
The vehicle intended to take them to Tchangearey district in Nimey’s northern outskirts, where they planned to board helicopters, which they claim are owned by a foreign entity, to Bimi Kebbi in Nigeria. During a television broadcast, Colonel Major Amadou Abdramane stated that the group was intercepted by military forces, thereby halting their escape plan.
In response to the allegations of escape, Bazoum’s lawyers have been vocal in their denial, however, the CNSP confirms that some of the individuals involved have been taken into custody and an inquiry into the events has been initiated. Abdramane further expressed that Bazoum’s perceived “irresponsible attitude”, aiming to destabilise the country by escaping to Nigeria.
The military coup in Niger has drawn widespread criticism, including concerns from the UN regarding Bazoum’s safety throughout this governmental transition. Bazoum, who was Niger’s first democratically elected president in 2021 following years of power struggles and coups, steadfastly refuses to resign from his position despite being held by the military. More details on this situation can be found in the full report here.