Niger’s military rulers have reported that they foiled an attempt by former President Mohamed Bazoum, who was ousted in a coup in July, to escape from their custody on Thursday. The regime’s spokesperson, Amadou Abdramane, announced the incident on state television, stating that Bazoum and several others tried to escape from his place of detention in the early hours of the morning.
The escape plan involved Bazoum initially reaching a hideout on the outskirts of the capital, Niamey, with the intention of flying out on helicopters belonging to a foreign power toward Nigeria. The attempt ultimately failed, and the main actors and some accomplices were arrested. An investigation has been launched.
Bazoum had been held at his residence in the presidential palace in Niamey with his wife and son after being toppled by the military in July. He has refused to resign from his position.
In September, Bazoum’s lawyers filed a legal case with a court of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) against those who deposed him and indicated that they were taking his case to the UN Human Rights Council.
The military officers who overthrew Bazoum cited the deteriorating security situation in Niger, where the country is battling two jihadist insurgencies, as justification for their actions.
France, which has been supporting Bazoum since the coup, ordered the withdrawal of its troops from Niger, and the first group of French soldiers arrived in Chad’s capital, N’Djamena, after leaving Niger by road. The troops will depart for France from Chad, with the pullout expected to be completed by the end of December. France has been calling for the release of Bazoum, along with several other countries and organizations, but the military regime remains firm in its position for now.