Niger’s Supreme Court Removes Immunity of Ousted President Mohamed Bazoum

Niger’s highest court has lifted the immunity of President Mohamed Bazoum, who was ousted in a military coup last summer. This decision, announced by his lawyer on Friday, paves the way for the army junta to prosecute him for alleged high treason.

Bazoum and his family have been under house arrest since the military coup that overthrew his rule. The junta authorities have accused him of “high treason” and undermining national security, and initiated legal proceedings to lift his immunity earlier this year.

Before his ouster, Niger was a key security partner for the West in the Sahel region, a vast area south of the Sahara Desert plagued by violent extremism. However, the military junta has since ordered Western troops to withdraw and turned to Russia for security assistance.

The Pentagon announced earlier this month that US forces are set to leave Niger by mid-September. This development marks a significant shift in the country’s security alliances.

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The legal proceedings against Bazoum have been criticized by Human Rights Watch, a leading rights group, for serious irregularities. These include violations of Bazoum’s rights to defend himself, communicate with his legal counsel, and be heard by an independent court.

The State Court, established by the junta, has been accused of lacking independence and impartiality. The proceedings have been marred by irregularities, raising concerns about the fairness of the trial.

The removal of Bazoum’s immunity sets the stage for a trial that many fear will be flawed and politically motivated. The international community is watching the developments closely, as Niger’s democratic future hangs in the balance.

Bazoum’s lawyer, Reed Brody, criticized the ruling as a “mockery” of the rule of law in Niger. “We never even got to speak to our client,” Brody said. “This is a travesty of justice.”

Since last October, President Bazoum’s legal team has been denied access to their client, and their ability to review the case files has been severely restricted, further hindering their ability to mount an effective defense.