MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on the unlawful detention of President Mohamed Bazoum in Niger

B9‑0470/2023

Motion for a European Parliament resolution on the unlawful detention of President Mohamed Bazoum in Niger

(2023/2980(RSP))

The European Parliament,

–  having regard to the Cotonou Agreement,

–  having regard to Rule 144 of its rules of procedure,

1. whereas in July 2023 Nigerien President Mohamed Bazoum was overthrown in a military coup; whereas General Abdourahamane Tchiani, the head of the presidential guard, dissolved the government and declared himself the new leader;

2. whereas this represents the seventh coup d’état in West Africa since 2020;

3. whereas the new regime  presented a 3 year plan for the transition of power; whereas this was rejected by ECOWAS which  insists on the return to civilian rule within a year;

4. whereas President Bazoum is under house arrest and being held in adverse conditions including limited access to medical care;

5. whereas the junta accused him  of ‘high treason’, an offence which can carry the death penalty;

6. whereas other former government officials were also arrested; whereas press freedom has been curtailed and some European media banned; whereas NGOs, the UN and international agencies are banned from working in military operation zones;

7. whereas ECOWAS responded to the coup with sanctions, including suspension of financial and commercial transactions and border closures; whereas the AU has suspended Niger from its activities;

8. whereas the EU has suspended budget support and security and development cooperation; whereas the Union has also imposed asset freezes and travel bans for members of the junta;

9. whereas the precarious humanitarian situation is further deteriorating; whereas 3 million people in Niger face severe food insecurity;

1. Strongly condemns the military coup; calls for a swift return to civilian rule and the restoration of constitutional order;

2. Insists on the unconditional release of President Bazoum and his family, and for the charges against him to be dropped;

3. Notes the ongoing assessments by ECOWAS on preparedness for potential military intervention; welcomes its leadership in efforts for dialogue; urges continued coordination in the international community for a political and diplomatic solution;

4. Urges the junta to engage with all relevant actors, including ECOWAS, the AU and civil society which are engaged in dialogue for a  solution and swift return to civilian rule;

5. Welcomes EU sanctions and suspension of activities; underlines the importance of continued humanitarian aid for the most vulnerable; reminds all parties of the obligation to ensure unhindered humanitarian access;

6. Expresses its deep concern at the repercussions of the coup on regional instability; underlines the importance of an urgent return to civilian rule to tackle increased jihadism across the Sahel which is emboldened by the breakdown in democracy; stresses the importance of a new EU-Africa strategic approach to address the situation;

7. Underlines the risk of an increased presence of private military groups such as Wagner in Niger as a result of the coup; notes  the importance of tackling disinformation in this regard;

8. Instruct its President to forward this resolution to the Commission, the Council, the Vice-President of the Commission/High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, the African Union, ECOWAS and the Nigerien authorities.