Nigeria Reacts As Niger Junta Releases Bazoum’s Wife, Son

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Nigeria’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Yusuf Maitama Tuggar, has commended the release of former President Mohammad Bazoum’s wife and son from house arrest by the National Council for the Safeguard of the Homeland, the ruling military junta in Niger.

 

Tuggar, who is also the Chairperson of the Mediation and Security Council, said in a statement on Tuesday by his media aide, Alkasim Abdulkadir, that it was a logical step in bringing normalcy back to the country and the region in general.

He reiterated the call to the government led by General Abdourahamane Tchiani to hasten the release of Mohammed Bazoum from its custody and allow him to fly to a third country as a step towards further talks on lifting sanctions and to initiate the transition to constitutional rule in the interest of the people, peace, and stability of Niger and the region.

Salem Bazoum, the son of Niger president Mohamed Bazoum who was toppled in a coup last year, was provisionally released on Monday, according to a Niamey military tribunal.

In a court document seen by AFP, Salem Bazoum was given “provisional release” after having been held with his parents since the presidential guard took power on July 26, 2023.

The document added that it was “up to him to respond to justice as soon as he is required to do so”.

A statement by the Togolese government confirmed a deal for Bazoum’s release after mediation from Togo and Sierra Leone, but gave no details about his whereabouts.

Niger has been ruled by military leaders since the overthrow of elected president Bazoum, which prompted international condemnation.

Military ruler General Abdourahamane Tiani has said his regime wants up to three years for a transition back to a civilian government.

Togo is among several West African states which have been involved in mediation with the Nigerien military regime.

On Monday, Togo Foreign Minister Robert Dussey was in Niamey, where he met with Niger’s junta-appointed prime minister, according to Nigerian public television.

This followed a trip by Dussey in mid-December when he said he had reached an agreement “on the content and timing of the transition” with the prime minister.