Joe Biden Calls For Immediate Release Of Niger President, Bazoum

United States President, Joe Biden, has called for the immediate release of Niger President, Mohamed Bazoum, who is being detained by the military junta in the country.

Bazoum, a democratically elected President was ousted a week ago in a coup by his own Presidential Guard.

The development, however, has been condemned by many world leaders and countries, including the United States, United Nations, European and African countries.

President Biden in a statement issued on Thursday, said the Nigerien people have the right to choose their leaders.

He maintained that Bazoum should be released for the country’s democracy to be preserved.

READ ALSO: APC National Legal Adviser, El-Marzuk Resigns

“I call for President Bazoum and his family to be immediately released, and for the preservation of Niger’s hard-earned democracy,” Biden said in a statement issued on Thursday on the 63rd anniversary of Niger’s independence.

He added: “In this critical moment, the United States stands with the people of Niger to honor our decades-long partnership rooted in shared democratic values and support for civilian-led governance.

“The Nigerien people have the right to choose their leaders.”

Biden stressed that Nigeriens have expressed their will through free and fair elections and their decision must be respected.

Bazoum was elected in 2021 after winning elections that ushered in Niger’s first peaceful transition of power.