Deposed and held by the military since Wednesday, July 26, 2023, Mohamed Bazoum has finally broken his silence. He wrote an op-ed published by The Washington Post in the night of Thursday, August 3rd to Friday, August 4th, in which he denounces the actions of the coup leaders.
According to Mohamed Bazoum, General Tiani’s coup d’état has not yet succeeded. He still considers himself the legitimate president of the Republic of Niger and condemns the actions of the military.
“I write this as a hostage. Niger is under attack by a military junta attempting to overthrow our democracy, and I am just one of hundreds of citizens who have been arbitrarily and illegally imprisoned,” he wrote.
Mohamed Bazoum dismisses all the arguments put forward by the coup leaders to justify his removal. “This coup, launched against my government by a faction of the army on July 26, has no justification. If it succeeds, it will have devastating consequences for our country, our region, and the entire world,” he asserted from his place of detention.
Contrary to the main argument cited by the National Council for the Safeguarding of the Homeland (CNSP) to support the coup, Mohamed Bazoum points out that “the security situation in Niger has significantly improved.” He attributes this positive outcome to partnerships.
He believes that if the coup against his government succeeds, foreign aid, which represents 40% of the national budget, “will not be provided.” Mohamed Bazoum is heavily relying on foreign powers and ECOWAS for the restoration of his power.
