22
Nov
2023
Watch
The unlawful detention of President Mohamed Bazoum in Niger
Madam President, I want to build on the authors of this proposal. It is right for the European Parliament and the European institutions to stand up for deposed President Bazoum. Indeed, he is a democrat, a man who has promoted the principles of democracy in this difficult tested region of Africa. He was deposed by the military junta, that was clearly stated. He is imprisoned in the palace. However, I would like to point out that the European Commission should reconsider its policy in this area overall, as it shows how the problems in the Sahel are growing. It is not the first country in the Sahel where a military coup took place, where the government was deposed. Let's look at the situation in Mali or Burkina Faso. The situation is similar there. This is an area where problems with Islamic terrorists are growing. They cause panic among citizens, among civilians, and then there is a growing desire for military leaders to take power and fight in this way. The situation with the Wagners who are involved in this area, the influence of Russia, are all topics that we could discuss here and that show how complex this area is today, how sensitive it is and how our policy in this area should take these facts into account. In any case, let us now do our utmost to release President Bazoum and allow him to leave the country, and, above all, to allow the junta to retreat and allow him to return to power.