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Akinwande Soji-Ojo
Salem Bazoum, the son of Niger Republic’s deposed President, Mohamed Bazoum, has been released by a military tribunal after spending more than five months in detention.
Salem left for Togo after mediation efforts by regional leaders led to him being freed.
He was detained along with his parents at the presidential palace after the military staged a coup in July 2023.
His parents remain in detention, with the junta so far refusing to bow to diplomatic pressure to release them.
In a statement, the military tribunal said that the release of Salem was provisional, adding that it would be “up to him to respond to justice as soon as he is required to do so.”
He had been charged with conspiracy to undermine the authority of the state following the coup.
In October, the junta alleged that the ousted president and his family, his two cooks and two security officials made a failed attempt to escape.
According to the tribunal, Togo’s Foreign Minister, Robert Dussey, came to Niger Republic to escort Salem out of the country.
Togo’s government confirmed his release, but did not give details of his whereabouts.
Sierra Leone had also been involved in mediation efforts to secure the release of the ousted president’s son, the statement added.
In December 2023, an ECOWAS Court ruled that the Bazoum family’s detention was arbitrary. It ordered their release, and the reinstatement of Bazoum as president.
The military junta ignored the ruling, saying that it would take up to three years to transition to civilian rule.
Bazoum was overthrown by the head of the presidential bodyguard, Gen Abdourahamane Tchiani, in a coup that was denounced by ECOWAS and western nations, including former colonial power, France.
ECOWAS has said it would maintain sanctions on Niger Republic until it saw progress on a return to civilian rule.
The sanctions have contributed to a sharp rise in food prices and a shortage of some basic items in Niger Republic.