A year ago, Mohamed Bazoum was overthrown in a military coup led by General Tiani, who seized control of Niger with the support of the army. Since then, the military junta has entrenched its power by curtailing freedoms, suspending political parties, and silencing dissent.
Despite the oppressive conditions, Bazoum remains resolutely defiant. No timeline for a return to civilian rule has been announced, and Niger has distanced itself from Western allies, increasingly aligning with Russia.
Bazoum and his wife, Hadiza, have been confined to the presidential residence since October, cut off from the outside world except for regular visits from his doctor.
Deprived of communication tools and under constant surveillance, Bazoum refuses to bow to pressure. His doctor is his only contact, providing him with food and books.
Bazoum’s determination to resist resignation is unwavering. A former philosophy professor, he immerses himself in literature, drawing strength from classic authors like Shakespeare and Tolstoy, as well as contemporary voices like Romain Gary. Political works such as Dominique Moïsi’s “The Triumph of Emotions” also occupy his reading time, fortifying his resolve.
Even a bout of malaria in the spring could not shake his steadfastness. Bazoum remains committed to his principles, rejecting the notion of resignation despite the junta’s recent move to lift his presidential immunity—a step that could lead to a trial. His defiance symbolizes a beacon of resistance in the face of an authoritarian regime tightening its stranglehold on Niger.
