On July 26, 2023, the military carried out a coup in Niger. Since then, the democratically elected president in 2021, Mohamed Bazoum, has been imprisoned. Many countries, such as the United States and France, have advocated for his release, but without success. The UN and the European Union suffered the same failure.
Morocco, with its excellent relations with the military in power in Niamey, launched mediation. “In the greatest discretion, the DGED, the foreign intelligence service, has been holding talks with the Niamey junta since September in order to free the former Nigerien president, detained for a year and a half,” revealed Africa Intelligence.
The DGED offered to welcome former President Bazoum to Morocco. A guarantee which should reassure General Abdourahamane Tiani, who is in charge of the “National Council for the Safeguarding of the Fatherland (CNSP)”, a body set up after the coup d’état of July 26, 2023. Africa Intelligence reported obstacles that still stand before Moroccan mediation, emphasizing that the DGED envoy has not yet met ex-president Mohamed Bazoum.
Alongside these discreet actions by the DGED, Morocco is publicly strengthening its presence in Niger. Last week, the “His Majesty King Mohammed VI” power plant was inaugurated in Niamey. The kingdom is also committed to building other power plants in the largest cities of this Sahelian country.
A ceremony followed by the signing of a strategic memorandum of understanding between the Nigerien government and OCP Africa. As a reminder, Niger joined the initiative, launched by King Mohammed VI, aimed at facilitating access for Sahel countries to the Atlantic Ocean.
Mohamed Bazoum was considered close to Algeria. Moreover, he visited Algiers twice, respectively in July 2021, as part of a working visit, concluded with the reopening of land borders, and in July 2022 to attend the festivities marking the 60th anniversary of the independence of Algeria.
After the coup, the military in Niger publicly rejected an Algerian offer of mediation.
