On the first anniversary of the coup on July 26, 2023, have the deposed leaders been forgotten?

The first anniversary of the Mohamed Bazoum event, July 26, 2023, has it been forgotten? The National Council for the Protection of the Fatherland (Cnsp), the Transitional Government and the people celebrated on July 26, 2024 the first anniversary of the historic event of July 26, 2023, to borrow an expression that local RTN journalists loved when covering the national celebrations. To make the event more solemn, the anniversary of this date, like other important days in contemporary Nigerien history, was designated a public holiday with no work and pay throughout the country. To prolong the sacredness of the state, a cultural week was organized that will last until August 3, the anniversary of Niger’s proclamation of independence. But alongside this national celebration, there was the anniversary of the fall of the deposed president, Mohamed Bazoum, who was celebrated with great fanfare by his executioners and his citizen supporters. Curiously, for months, more precisely, since the disgraceful dissolution of ECOWAS to lift sanctions against the coup in Niger, no one inside the West African organization or even in the international community has discussed the case of Mohamed Bazoum, his release. Even his supporters, among members of his government, who were previously so vociferous and active outside, would gradually fade away, even becoming discouraged and resigning to lead the struggle for his release. When Mohamed Bazoum no longer needed help to regain his freedom, that is, after his presidential immunity was lifted, everything was little by little out of his control. The feet were shaking. Even Macron’s France, seemingly the most resolute in this struggle, seems absent today, perhaps the current uneasy political situation of Macron, generated by the expected legislative elections of July 7, can explain this phenomenon of abandoning “the soldier Bazoum”. ”, more precisely and correctly, “Legionnaire Bazoum”. But even before the dissolution of the French National Assembly, Paris seemed to have thrown in the towel with this gesture, which seemed to have no way out except to further exacerbate the already considerable tensions between Niger and France. On the American side, the radio was also silent, perhaps also due to the electoral agenda of Uncle Sam’s country, as we know that Mohamed Bazoum enjoys almost no support in Niger that could constitute a substantial center of support. He was released because even his former party, Pnds/Tarayya, did not deign to take a chance.

Finally, as we can see, Mohamed Bazoum seems to have been abandoned to his tragic fate today, amidst the general indifference of ECOWAS, France, the United States of America, the international community, the PP/Talaya and its followers. However, the reason why he does not recognize his fall is because of his blind faith in these beautiful people. Which, by the way, shows that political leaders must have forgotten Mohamed Bazoum before the first anniversary of the events of July 26, 2023? To rely on one’s fellow citizens for everything, not on others whose interests change according to the circumstances. Unfortunately, Mohamed Bazoum has been deceived in this regard, refusing to recognize that he has lost power and continuing to claim that he is “the only legitimate president of Niger”. In these moments of hysteria, he has added to his error by calling for sanctions against Niger, including military intervention. Worse still, if the National Security Council does not release him, he will even contact the leaders of terrorist organizations to carry out actions to destabilize Niger, especially attacks against national oil facilities, the National Security Agency and civilians. Now, today, everything seems to be crumbling, like a house of cards beneath his feet. In a few months, he will have to stand trial on all the charges we know about. This means that the future looks bleak for Bazoum!

Ali Koma (Angry Duck)