Tensions are rising between Europe and West Africa following a controversial resolution by the European Parliament calling for the “immediate and unconditional” release of detained Nigerien leader Mohamed Bazoum.
Bazoum, who was democratically elected in 2021, was overthrown in a military coup in July 2023 and has since been held in detention alongside his wife. Despite repeated international appeals, Niger’s military authorities have refused to release him.
The resolution has sparked outrage among members of the Alliance of Sahel States—a coalition comprising Niger, Burkina Faso, and Mali—all currently under military rule following separate coups.
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In a strongly worded response, the three nations condemned the European Parliament’s move as “a grave attempt at meddling” in their internal affairs, emphasizing their sovereignty and independence.
Niger’s Interior Minister went further, describing the resolution as an “aggression” against the country, reinforcing the junta’s stance against foreign interference.
The standoff highlights growing friction between Western institutions and Sahelian military governments, as the region continues to shift politically following a wave of coups that have reshaped leadership across West Africa.
