On the arbitrary detention of President Mohamed Bazoum by the junta in Niger
B-10-2026-0169
on behalf of the PPE Group · Rapporteur: Sebastião Bugalho, Christophe Gomart, Michael Gahler, Isabel Wiseler-Lima, Tomas Tobé, Antonio López-Istúriz White, Ingeborg Ter Laak, Rasa Juknevičienė, Reinhold Lopatka, Miriam Lexmann, Andrey Kovatchev, Tomáš Zdechovský, Liudas Mažylis, Wouter Beke, Davor Ivo Stier, Vangelis Meimarakis, Jessica Polfjärd, Danuše Nerudová, Michał Wawrykiewicz, Jan Farský, Loránt Vincze, Inese Vaidere
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This resolution strongly condemns the arbitrary detention of President Mohamed Bazoum and his wife by the military junta in Niger and calls for their immediate and unconditional release.¶ It urges Niger's authorities to ensure access to independent medical care, family contact, legal counsel, and international observers, and calls for Bazoum's reinstatement and a return to constitutional order.¶¶ It also calls for intensified diplomatic efforts by the EU and member states to secure their release.¶
Key points
- Strongly condemns the continued arbitrary detention of President Mohamed Bazoum and his wife by the military junta and calls for their immediate and unconditional release.¶
- Urges Niger's authorities to ensure President Bazoum and his wife have access to independent medical care, regular family contact, communication with legal counsel, and visits by independent international observers.¶
- Deplores the overthrow and imprisonment of a democratically elected leader and calls for his reinstatement and a full and immediate return to constitutional order in Niger.¶
- Expresses hope that Niger will swiftly establish a clear, credible and inclusive roadmap towards free, fair and transparent democratic elections.¶
- Emphasises that President Bazoum was a key EU partner in the Sahel in security, counterterrorism, and migration management, and that his detention has worsened regional security and risks increasing irregular migration and trafficking.¶
- Calls on the VP/HR and the Member States to intensify diplomatic efforts and coordination with international partners to secure the release of President Bazoum and his wife.¶
Who is affected
- President Mohamed Bazoum and his wife Hadiza Bazoum, arbitrarily detained in Niamey, would benefit from release and improved detention conditions.¶¶
- The authorities in Niger are urged to grant access and release, and to restore constitutional order.¶
- The EU and its member states are called on to intensify diplomatic efforts for their release.¶
Figures and deadlines
- 26 July 2023: date of the military coup that overthrew the democratically elected authorities.¶
- 29 January 2025: date Niger withdrew from ECOWAS.¶
- 21 February 2021: date of the last democratic election in which President Bazoum was elected.¶
- April 2026: originally scheduled conclusion of President Bazoum's mandate.