Photo credit: VOA
A court has scrapped the immunity of the country’s deposed leader, Mohammed Bazoum. This has paved the way for a possible trial.
Abdou Dan Galadima, the president of the State Court, the country’s highest legal authority, announced the decision.
The military authorities that took over from the deposed president had shown a willingness to prosecute Bazoum but only for immunity.
While un house arrest with his family, Bazoum is alleged to have spoken with French President Emmanuel Macron and United States Secretary of State Anthony Blinken on the phone to secure Western support during the July 2023 coup.
Meanwhile, Human Rights Watch has alleged that the hearing was marred by serious irregularities, including violations of Bazoum’s rights to present evidence in his defense, communicate with his legal counsel, and be heard before an independent court.
Before Bazoum’s deposition, Niger had been the last major security partner of the West south of the Sahara Desert. The military government has since sent out France’s military. US troops are also on their way out.
