Children of former Niger leader appeal for his release

By the Editorial Team · Thursday, July 30, 2026

Mohamed Bazoum, Niger’s former president, remains held in harsh isolation alongside his wife over three years after a military coup ousted him in July 2023. His family’s renewed appeal highlights the prolonged human rights abuses and calls on the international community to intervene, especially since Bazoum’s detention lacks legal basis following the end of his presidential term.

The children of Mohamed Bazoum, the former president of Niger, have renewed their appeal for his release after more than three years of captivity following a military coup. Bazoum and his wife, Khadjia, have been held in isolation by the soldiers responsible for the July 26, 2023, overthrow, enduring harsh conditions that their family says amount to a "regime of total social isolation."

In a public statement, Bazoum’s children detailed the prolonged separation from their parents, emphasizing that for 1,095 days they have seen no visitors, heard no familiar voices, and received no social contact. They highlighted that in contrast to other West African nations where deposed leaders have experienced less severe treatment, their parents remain under tight confinement. They cited examples including Mali, Burkina Faso, Guinea, Gabon, Guinea-Bissau, and Madagascar, where former leaders either resumed normal lives or live freely in exile following similar coups.

The family described dire conditions during the initial months after the coup, noting the loss of running water for 45 days and electricity for 90 days. They also pointed to April 2 of this year, which marked the legal end of Bazoum’s presidential term. Under Nigerien law, his detention no longer had a legal basis after this date, as he was legally considered an ordinary citizen. Despite this, he remains in custody.

The statement criticized the international community for its perceived inaction, urging African leaders, the United Nations secretary-general, and members of the global community committed to justice to intervene and secure the freedom of Mohamed Bazoum and Khadjia Bazoum.

The coup in Niger in mid-2023 has drawn regional and international condemnation, with the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) at times imposing sanctions on the junta. However, efforts to secure Bazoum’s release have so far been unsuccessful, leaving tension and uncertainty over the country’s political future. The family’s latest appeal underscores the continuing human rights concerns stemming from the junta’s refusal to release the former president and his wife.

This article was reported by synthesizing coverage from multiple independent news outlets to present a balanced, unbiased account. Read about our editorial standards. Spotted an error? Let us know.