Niger’s Top Court Rules to Lift Immunity of Ousted President Mohamed Bazoum
Niger’s highest court has ruled that Mohamed Bazoum, the democratically elected president ousted by the military last year, will lose his immunity from prosecution. This decision, made by the newly established judicial body, paves the way for Bazoum, 64, to face trial in a military court.
Bazoum and his wife, Hadiza, have been held under detention in the presidential palace since the coup in July 2023, without access to communication devices. Since then, Niger’s new military leadership has implemented sweeping policy changes, including severing defense and diplomatic relations with former colonial power France and shifting its alignment towards Russia.
The ruling junta in Niamey now has the legal authority to charge Bazoum with offenses including treason, undermining national security, and financing terrorism.
Bazoum’s legal team has denounced the proceedings as a “travesty” and withdrew from a hearing last week, citing their inability to meet their client in person. Hamid N’Gade, Bazoum’s communications adviser, expressed concern over the former president’s well-being, stating, “I don’t even know if President Bazoum is aware of the lifting of his immunity.” He added, “We only receive updates about him from his doctor, who sees him twice a week. No one knows how he is coping psychologically.”
