Civil society organisations in Niger have strongly condemned a recent European Union resolution calling for the release of former president Mohamed Bazoum, who has been held in detention since the 2023 military coup that ousted him from power.
At a public meeting held Saturday in Niamey, several non-governmental organisations issued a joint statement criticizing the EU’s position, accusing external actors particularly France of exerting undue influence over European institutions.
Abdourahamane Oumarou, spokesperson for the Alliance of Sahel States Citizen Watch, addressed attendees with a pointed critique of the resolution. He alleged that France is attempting to reassert its influence in the Sahel region through diplomatic channels after losing ground militarily and politically.
“Behind this resolution is the hand of France, refusing to accept its historic defeat in the Sahel,” Oumarou said. He further claimed that Paris is leveraging its networks within European institutions, including the European Parliament, to regain influence through what he described as “diplomatic pressure and institutional manipulation.”
The remarks reflect growing anti-Western sentiment in parts of the Sahel, where military-led governments in Niger, Burkina Faso, and Mali have increasingly distanced themselves from traditional international partners.
Civil society groups at the gathering also denounced the broader role of international actors in the region, arguing that decades of external intervention have failed to deliver meaningful security or stability. Instead, they emphasized a shift toward sovereignty and regional self-determination under emerging alliances such as the Alliance of Sahel States.
“For several decades, our region has faced deep struggles: persistent insecurity, marginalisation of state institutions, economic pressure, and repeated external interventions,” Oumarou stated. “It is unacceptable for external institutions to pretend to dictate our choices.”
The statement underscores a broader geopolitical realignment in the Sahel, where juntas have sought to redefine partnerships and reduce reliance on Western support, often turning to alternative allies.
In a coordinated show of resistance, civil society groups across Niger, Burkina Faso, and Mali have called for mass demonstrations on Tuesday. The mobilisations are intended to send a unified message rejecting the European Union’s stance and reaffirming the sovereignty of Sahelian states.
