Salem Bazoum, the son of Niger's ousted president Mohamed Bazoum, has been provisionally released, as confirmed by a Niamey military tribunal on Monday. According to a court document seen by AFP, Salem Bazoum, who had been detained with his parents since the presidential guard seized power on July 26, 2023, has been granted "provisional release." The document also stated that he is expected to comply with the demands of justice when called upon to do so. Meanwhile, his parents remain in custody at the presidential residence.

A source close to the deposed president informed AFP that Salem Bazoum had departed Niamey for Lome, the capital of Togo, where he arrived on Monday evening. The Togolese government's statement confirmed that Bazoum's release was secured through mediation from Togo and Sierra Leone, but did not provide specific details regarding his current location.

Since the overthrow of elected president Bazoum, Niger has been under military rule, drawing international condemnation. The military ruler, General Abdourahamane Tiani, has expressed the regime's intention for a transition period of up to three years before returning to civilian governance.

Togo, along with several other West African states, has been involved in mediating with the Nigerien military regime. Togo's Foreign Minister Robert Dussey visited Niamey, where he met with Niger's junta-appointed prime minister, as reported by Nigerien public television. This visit followed a previous trip by Dussey in mid-December, during which he announced reaching an agreement on the content and timing of the transition with the prime minister.

The new military regime has distanced itself from Niger's previous close European partners, particularly France, and has strengthened ties with two neighboring countries, Mali and Burkina Faso, both of which are also under military rule following recent coups. The withdrawal of the last French troops from Niger took place in December.

Niger, like its neighboring countries Burkina Faso and Mali, has been grappling with persistent jihadist violence, particularly in the Tri-border area where the three Sahel countries converge. Following Bazoum's ouster, the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) imposed stringent economic and financial sanctions on Niamey, leading to increased food prices and shortages of essential items in one of the world's poorest nations.

Togo, among other countries, has recently softened its stance towards the Nigerien authorities. Benin President Patrice Talon called for the swift re-establishment of relations between his country and neighboring Niger, and subsequently, Benin lifted its suspension of imported goods transiting to Niger through the port of Cotonou after five months of sanctions.

Niger is currently suspended from ECOWAS, which has stipulated the release of Bazoum and his return to power as conditions for easing the sanctions. Several former officials of the overthrown government have been arrested, while others are in exile. For instance, former energy minister Ibrahim Yacoubou was arrested upon his return to the country last week.

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