France, July 26 -- The coup in Niger of 26 July, 2023 destabilised the Sahel region, and West Africa as a whole. Two years on, human rights activists say the situation has worsened and continue to call for the release of former president Mohamed Bazoum.

Two years on from the coup in Niger that saw the military junta seize power, NGOs have condemned the failure to produce a roadmap towards democracy - and the degradation of human rights in the country.

On 26 July, 2023, Nigerien army officers of the self-proclaimed National Council for the Safeguard of the Homeland (CNSP), led by General Abdourahamane Tiani,overthrew Bazoum's government and arrested him and his wife, Hadiza Bazoum.

Bazoum was elected in 2021, taking the helm of a countr...