Niger’s democratically elected president, Mohamed Bazoum, had his immunity lifted by the country’s highest court, nearly a year after being ousted by mutinous soldiers.
This decision paves the way for the army junta to potentially prosecute him for alleged high treason. Bazoum and his family have been confined to house arrest since the military coup that removed him from power last summer.
The junta authorities have accused him of “high treason” and jeopardizing national security, leading to legal actions to remove his immunity in the newly established State Court, which now serves as the nation’s top judicial body.
Prior to his removal, Niger was a key security partner in the Sahel region, but the military junta expelled Western troops and sought security assistance from Russia. U.S. forces are set to depart by mid-September, as announced by the Pentagon.
The legal proceedings at the State Court have been marred by significant irregularities, including violations of Bazoum’s rights to present evidence, consult with his legal team, and have a fair trial before an impartial tribunal, as reported by Human Rights Watch.
Bazoum’s attorney, Reed Brody, condemned the court’s decision as a violation of Niger’s rule of law, highlighting the lack of communication with their client and denouncing it as an injustice. Since October, Bazoum’s legal team has been unable to contact him and has faced limitations in accessing case documents, according to HRW.
Last year, the ECOWAS highest court ruled that Bazoum and his family were unlawfully detained and called for his reinstatement as President.
