by Since the military coup that overthrew President Mohamed Bazoum on July 26, he and his wife have been detained in the presidential palace in Niamey. In a recent development, Bazoum’s daughter, Hinda Bazoum, has publicly accused his predecessor of orchestrating the coup.
In an article published in the Nigerien newspaper L’Autre Republican, Hinda Bazoum alleged that former President Mahamadou Issoufou was the “mastermind” behind the coup, driven by ego centrism and self-interest. According to her claims, the coup was a strategic move by Issoufou to regain power through a brief military transition period during which a new constitution would be adopted.
General Abdourahamane Tiani, the leader of the junta that seized power, is known to be a close ally and confidant of Issoufou. This revelation has deeply affected Bazoum’s family, as Issoufou was a longtime friend and colleague of Bazoum, having served as interior minister under his presidency.
Hinda Bazoum expressed her anguish at the betrayal by individuals whom her family had known and trusted for decades. She lamented the loss of communication with her parents since their detention, highlighting the emotional toll the situation has taken on her and her sisters.
Furthermore, Hinda Bazoum accused Issoufou of attempting to manipulate the legal system to secure his own political interests, including lifting Bazoum’s immunity and orchestrating his sentencing by a military court. She called for national and international intervention to end the suffering endured by her family since the coup.
Amidst the political turmoil, Niger continues to grapple with jihadist insurgencies in the southwest and southeast regions, further complicating the country’s stability and security. The accusations made by Bazoum’s daughter add another layer of complexity to the ongoing political crisis gripping the nation.
