The arbitrary detention of President Mohamed Bazoum by the junta in Niger

European Parliament resolution of 12 March 2026 on the arbitrary detention of President Mohamed Bazoum by the junta in Niger (2026/2642(RSP))

The European Parliament,

 having regard to Rules 150(5) and 136(4) of its Rules of Procedure,

A. whereas a military coup took place in Niger on 26 July 2023, following which the country’s constitutional order was dissolved and a military junta established;

B. whereas since the coup President Bazoum and his wife have been held by the ruling junta and are reportedly being detained without access to lawyers or family visits, and receiving only limited medical care; whereas for over a year no verifiable information on their condition has been made publicly available;

C. whereas the State Court lifted Bazoum’s presidential immunity and the authorities vowed to prosecute him for ‘high treason’, which may lead to the death penalty;

D. whereas the junta has engaged in broader repression, imposing increasing restrictions on human rights defenders, political opposition, civil society, and media freedom; whereas it has suspended the Constitution, threatening freedom of religion;

E. whereas the security situation in Niger and across the Sahel continues to deteriorate as jihadist groups carry out deadly attacks;

F. whereas the humanitarian situation has deteriorated sharply owing to the deteriorating security situation and severe climate shocks, leaving nearly one million people displaced and three million in need of humanitarian assistance, which has been severely restricted following the mass dissolution of NGOs and the expulsion of major international actors;

G. whereas developments in Niger are part of a worrying broader regional trend of democratic and human rights backsliding in the Sahel;

1. Strongly condemns the continued arbitrary detention of democratically elected President Bazoum and his wife and all other individuals detained in the coup, and calls for their immediate and unconditional release;

2. Emphasises that Niger has been an EU partner in the Sahel in various areas of cooperation; stresses that since the coup the situation in Niger has worsened and security risks have increased, including human and arms trafficking and irregular migration flows across the Sahel;

3. Condemns the repression of political actors, journalists and civil society, and calls on the Nigerien authorities to accelerate the process of restoring democratic order, including the reinstatement of political parties and the organisation of free and fair elections;

4. Emphasises the importance of ensuring the continued delivery and accessibility of EU humanitarian aid and basic services in conflict areas in Niger;

5. Expresses deep concern over Niger’s announced intention to withdraw from the ICC; urges the Nigerien authorities to uphold international law;

6. Expresses deep concern about the deteriorating security and humanitarian situation in the Sahel, and stresses that democratic legitimacy, accountable governance and respect for human rights are essential to addressing insecurity and protecting civilians;

7. Calls on the VP/HR, the Member States, the African Union and the international community to intensify diplomatic efforts to secure the release of President Bazoum;

8. Instructs its President to forward this resolution to the Commission, the Council, the VP/HR, the African Union, ECOWAS and the authorities of Niger and the Alliance of Sahel States.