Club de Madrid calls on the military junta for the immediate and unconditional release of President Bazoum of Niger

Deeply concerned with the continued detention of ousted President Mohamed Bazoum of Niger and the breakdown of constitutional order and the rule of law in the country, Club de Madrid calls on the military junta for the immediate and unconditional release of President Bazoum and all arbitrarily detained members of his Government. We urge all actors to refrain from violence and to respect the rights and fundamental freedoms of all and call for the international community’s support of peace and stability efforts in Niger and the region.

As democratic former Heads of State and Government, we recognise the legitimacy of President Bazoum as the sole Head of State of Niger and support political efforts by ECOWAS and the African Union to restore constitutional order and consolidate democratic gains, underlining the United Nations’ support of a peaceful solution to the crisis in the country and to the delivery of life-saving humanitarian aid in Niger. Regional escalation should be avoided by all means.

Club de Madrid will continue to monitor the situation closely in the coming days and to advocate for democracy and peace in Niger and the stability of the country and the region.