The Nigerien authorities have officially launched a national reconciliation process, marked on Tuesday by the release of around fifty individuals, including former ministers from the government ousted in the 2023 coup.
Among those released are political figures, a former ambassador, a journalist, and military officers previously accused of attempted coups during the 2010s.
Ousted President Mohamed Bazoum remains in detention.
The reconciliation process was initiated following the recommendations of the national consultations, which recently authorized the ruling authorities to govern for at least five more years.
The released individuals “were granted release in accordance with the recommendations of the national consultations for reconstruction,” stated the government’s General Secretariat in a televised announcement.
Among those freed is former Oil Minister Mahamane Sani Issoufou, son of former President Mahamadou Issoufou (2011–2021), who took part in the consultations.
Also released were Kalla Moutari, former Minister of Defense; Ahmed Djidoud, former Minister of Finance; and Ibrahim Yacoubou, who held the Energy portfolio.
The president of the former ruling party PNDS, Foumakoye Gado, and journalist Ousmane Toudou are also among those freed, along with Alat Mogaskia, former ambassador to Nigeria.
These individuals were arrested after the coup that brought General Abdourahamane Tiani, former head of the presidential guard, to power. They had been held in various prisons on charges including “plotting to undermine the security and authority of the state.”
Similar charges are still pending against former President Mohamed Bazoum, whose immunity has been lifted.
Several military officers previously convicted for “attempted coups” or “endangering state security” have also been released.
Among them is General Salou Souleymane, former Chief of the Armed Forces, along with three other officers sentenced in 2018 to up to 15 years in prison for attempting to overthrow President Issoufou in 2015.
The national consultations held in February solidified the current regime’s grip on power by allowing General Tiani to remain president of Niger for the next five years. Political parties were also dissolved as part of this new framework.
“I wish to solemnly reaffirm my commitment to always work toward forgiveness and reconciliation among Nigeriens,” the head of state declared during his inauguration as president last week.
“The forgiveness and reconciliation we are calling for must not contradict the legitimate aspirations of Nigeriens for justice; rather, the two approaches are necessarily compatible,” he added.
Since taking power, the Nigerien regime has adopted a sovereignist stance: cutting ties with France, expelling French and American troops involved in the anti-jihadist fight, and withdrawing from organizations such as the Francophonie and the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).
At the same time, it has strengthened ties with neighboring Burkina Faso and Mali.
Together, the three countries have formed a confederation: the Alliance of Sahel States (AES).
