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resolution motion, 9 March 2026

On the arbitrary detention of President Mohamed Bazoum by the junta in Niger

Motion B-10-2026-0160 · (2026/2642(RSP))

on behalf of the ESN Group · Rapporteur: Tomasz Froelich

On Parliament’s site PDF Word

AI:In short

This resolution condemns the 2023 military coup in Niger and calls for the immediate release of President Mohamed Bazoum and his family. It expresses concern about governance, security, and migration issues, and calls on the EU to engage pragmatically with Niger's military authorities on migration, security, and counter-terrorism.

Key points

  1. Strongly condemns the military coup of 26 July 2023 and calls for the immediate release of President Bazoum and his family.
  2. Notes that General Tchiani was sworn in as leader for a five-year term in March 2025.
  3. Concerned that the coup will worsen governance, economic management, and human suffering in Niger.
  4. Concerned about the security situation and increasing jihadist attacks in Niger and the Sahel region.
  5. Notes that weak governance of the defence sector, including corruption and opacity, has eroded Niger's capabilities to defend its citizens.
  6. Worried that the crisis and rapid population growth will continue to fuel illegal migration.
  7. States that the EU Emergency Trust Fund for Africa has been largely ineffective in addressing root causes of migration.
  8. Calls on the EU to engage pragmatically with Niger's military authorities and start talks on migration management, security, and counter-terrorism, while avoiding destabilising policies.

Who is affected

  • President Mohamed Bazoum and his family, who are detained and should be released.
  • The military authorities of Niger, with whom the EU should engage pragmatically.
  • The population of Niger, affected by governance, security, and migration issues.

Figures and deadlines

  • 26 July 2023: date of the military coup.
  • March 2025: General Tchiani sworn in for a five-year term.
  • Population grew from around 8 million in 1990 to more than 26 million in 2023, projected to double by 2043.

Written by AI from the full text · every figure comes from the text · ¶ opens the paragraph · 5 Sept 2026 · Report a problem

Full text

Text 20 paragraphs

B100160/2026

European Parliament resolution on the arbitrary detention of President Mohamed Bazoum by the junta in Niger

(2026/2642(RSP))

The European Parliament,

– having regard to Rule 150 (5) of its Rules of Procedure,

– having regard to Article 25 of the African Charter on Democracy, Elections and Governance,

A. whereas the democratically elected President of Niger, Mohamed Bazoum, was arrested, together with his wife and son, on 26 July 2023 following a military coup led by General Tchiani; whereas following the lifting of his presidential immunity in April-June 2024, the junta announced its intention to prosecute Bazoum for high treason;

B. whereas the Community Court of Justice of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and the United Nations Working Group on Arbitrary Detention found that the detention of Bazoum and his wife was arbitrary;

C. whereas Niger has been grappling with poverty, instability and endemic corruption for decades and has been consistently ranked among the least developed countries in the world;

D. whereas Niger is a central hub for illegal migrants trying to enter Europe via Libya and Algeria; whereas Niger’s junta repealed the 2015 migrant smuggling law aimed at curbing illegal migration;

E. whereas Niger has been struggling with jihadist violence and security threats on several fronts; whereas Islamist armed groups have attacked various villages across Niger, killing citizens;

1. Strongly condemns the military coup of 26 July 2023; calls for the immediate release of President Bazoum and his family;

Read the rest (8 paragraphs)

2. Notes that in March 2025, the leader of Niger’s military, General Tchiani, was sworn in for a five-year term;

3. Is deeply concerned that the military coup will only deepen poor governance and bad economic management and worsen human suffering in Niger;

4. Is deeply concerned by the security situation and increasing jihadist attacks in Niger and the Sahel region;

5. Notes that historically weak governance of the defence sector, including corruption and opacity, has eroded Niger’s capabilities to defend its own citizens and risks further deterioration under the current military authorities;

6. Notes that Niger’s population has expanded from around 8 million in 1990 to more than 26 million in 2023 and is projected to double again by 2043; is worried that the continuing political, security and economic crisis in Niger, combined with the rapidly growing population, will continue to fuel illegal migration;

7. Notes that the EU Emergency Trust Fund for Africa (EUTF) has been largely ineffective in addressing the root causes of migration;

8. Calls on the EU to engage pragmatically with the military authorities in Niger and to start talks about migration management, security and counter-terrorism, while refraining from policies that further destabilise the country or punish its population for decisions taken by its authorities;

9. Instructs its President to forward this resolution to the Council, the Commission, the Vice-President of the Commission/High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, the European External Action Service, the governments and parliaments of the Member States, and the military authorities of Niger.