Speeches

Madam President, I met Mohamed Bazoum years ago, when he was Minister of the Interior. First it was a political relationship and then it was a relationship of deep friendship, of true friendship with a person in whom I found an honest politician, a Democrat, a man of honor. Something that is sometimes very difficult to find when honor becomes, simply, the opportunity. There is a word in French that defines the human quality of Mohamed Bazoum, which is a mixture of honor and courage. It's called fierté: the fierté not to accept his freedom in exchange for renouncing the presidency. Not because the presidency is important to him. Because it is not his presidency, but it means democracy, the values for which he has fought all his life: democracy, freedom and dignity in Niger. I have to tell you that for me Mohamed Bazoum is an example for all of us. He does not defend his presidency, he defends the honor, the fierté from the village of Niger.