On October 19, the military regime resulting from the July coup in Niger revealed that the deposed president, Mohamed Bazoum, had attempted to escape from prison. Accompanied by his family, his cooks and members of his security, Bazoum allegedly tried to leave his place of detention with the aim of taking refuge in Nigeria. However, this attempt was quickly aborted and the main instigators, as well as some accomplices, were arrested. An investigation is currently underway to shed light on this matter.
Mohamed Bazoum’s escape plan included hiding on the outskirts of the Nigerien capital, Niamey, before taking helicopters belonging to a foreign power to Nigeria. The identity of this foreign power has not been specified. The military regime denounced the irresponsible attitude of the former president and did not reveal his current location.
In a context of tensions between the military regime and France, the first French soldiers began to leave their bases in Niger. They are heading to neighboring Chad by land, before being repatriated to France. This withdrawal follows recent decisions taken by the Nigerien authorities, who demanded the departure of French forces present on their territory. French military operations in the Sahel are now based in N’Djamena, the Chadian capital.
The French presence in the Sahel has been reduced following a series of coups in the region. The Barkhane anti-jihadist force, which had been deployed in Mali since 2014, was dissolved. Western contingents in the Sahel now face a major challenge in leaving the region safely, particularly due to the presence of jihadist groups active in certain areas.
Alongside these events, the political situation in Niger remains tense. The deposed president Mohamed Bazoum still refuses to resign and is held prisoner in his residence within the presidential palace. The country has also faced international economic sanctions since the coup, with many states suspending budgetary aid. In this context, the European Union has set up a “humanitarian air bridge” to transport medicines and essential medical supplies to the Nigerien capital, Niamey.
In conclusion, recent developments in Niger, notably the attempted escape of the deposed president and the withdrawal of French forces, reflect a complex and unstable political situation in the country. The international community is closely monitoring developments in the situation and trying to find solutions to guarantee the stability and well-being of the Nigerien population.