**The Bazoum Case: A Warning of the Dangers of Arbitrariness in Niger**
The July 26, 2023 coup in Niger, which resulted in the capture of President Mohamed Bazoum and his wife, has plunged the country into a deep sociopolitical crisis. This arbitrary detention, described as a “political hostage” by Reed Brody, a lawyer with the Bazoum defense collective, calls into question the legitimacy of military power and exposes worrying practices similar to those observed in other countries such as Burma and Sudan. Faced with increasing pressure from the international community, including the UN and the African Union, the junta could play on nationalism to justify its repression. As Niger struggles with growing insecurity and inequalities that exacerbate social tensions, the future of the country will depend on the ethical and political choices that are made. Bazoum’s fate could well become the symbol of a struggle for human dignity, justice and lasting peace in Africa.