An opposition figure in Niger has urged the European Union and the European Parliament to exercise restraint in their calls for the release of detained former president Mohamed Bazoum, insisting that the matter should be resolved internally through national dialogue.
Oumar Moctar Alansary, a founding member of the Democratic and Republican Renewal Party (RDR Tchanji), made the call in a statement emphasizing that Bazoum’s continued detention following the 2023 Niger coup d’état remains primarily an internal political issue for Nigerien authorities.
Alansary argued that a peaceful resolution driven by national consensus would strengthen unity, preserve the dignity of all actors involved, and allow the country to concentrate on pressing security challenges facing the Sahel region.
According to him, Bazoum’s constitutional tenure is expected to end on April 2, 2026, and the current transitional authorities overseeing the country’s political “Refoundation” process may adopt a cautious approach regarding his immediate release.
He noted that tensions surrounding Bazoum’s refusal to resign after the military takeover, as well as lingering disputes over the legitimacy of his election victory, have contributed to political divisions and institutional instability in the country.
“Support for endogenous solutions, through inclusive national dialogue involving all political and social stakeholders, would be a more constructive contribution to resolving the crisis,” Alansary said.
The opposition figure also criticized a near-unanimous resolution adopted by the European Parliament on March 12, 2026, demanding Bazoum’s immediate release. He argued that the bloc itself remains divided over key issues including migration policy, financial planning and continued support for Ukraine.
Alansary urged international partners to respect Niger’s sovereignty and support internal political processes without imposing external prescriptions, stressing that the Sahel nation must chart its own path toward stability.
He added that the RDR Tchanji party, which had earlier raised concerns about irregularities in Bazoum’s election, continues to advocate dialogue and consensus as the most viable route to resolving the country’s lingering political crisis.
About The Author
