Mohamed Bazoum facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Mohamed Bazoum
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محمد بازوم
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Bazoum in 2023
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| 10th President of Niger | |
| In office 2 April 2021 – 26 July 2023 |
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| Prime Minister | Ouhoumoudou Mahamadou |
| Preceded by | Mahamadou Issoufou |
| Succeeded by | Abdourahamane Tchiani (as President of the National Council for the Safeguard of the Homeland) |
| President of the Nigerien Party for Democracy and Socialism | |
| In office March 2011 – 20 December 2022 |
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| Preceded by | Mahamadou Issoufou |
| Succeeded by | Foumakoye Gado |
| Minister of the Interior | |
| In office 13 April 2016 – 1 April 2021 |
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| President | Mahamadou Issoufou |
| Prime Minister | Brigi Rafini |
| Preceded by | Hassoumi Massaoudou |
| Succeeded by | Alkache Alhada |
| Minister of Foreign Affairs | |
| In office 21 April 2011 – 26 February 2016 |
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| President | Mahamadou Issoufou |
| Prime Minister | Brigi Rafini |
| Preceded by | Aminatou Maïga Touré |
| Succeeded by | Aïchatou Boulama Kané |
| In office 25 February 1995 – 5 May 1996 |
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| President | Mahamane Ousmane |
| Prime Minister | Amadou Cissé |
| Preceded by | Abdourahmane Hama |
| Succeeded by | André Salifou |
| Member of the National Assembly | |
| In office February 2005 – 2021 |
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| Constituency | unknown |
| In office 11 April 1993 – January 1995 |
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| Constituency | Tesker (special) |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 1 January 1960 Bilabrin, N'guigmi Cercle, French Niger |
| Political party | PNDS-Tarayya |
| Spouse | Hadiza Ben Mabrouk |
| Children | 4 |
| Alma mater | Cheikh Anta Diop University |
| Religion | Sunni Islam |
| Ethnicity | Ouled Slimane Arab |
Mohamed Bazoum (born 1 January 1960) is a politician from Niger, a country in West Africa. He was the 10th president of Niger from 2021 to 2023. He became president in April 2021 after winning an election. He also survived an attempt to remove him from power shortly after. However, he was later removed from office in July 2023 by some members of the military.
Before becoming president, he led a political party called the Nigerien Party for Democracy and Socialism. He also worked as the Minister of Foreign Affairs for several years. Later, he became the Minister of the Interior. In 2021, he won the presidential election with over half of the votes. Mohamed Bazoum is the first Arab president in Niger's history. He is a member of the Ouled Slimane people, an Arab group.
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Early Life and Education
Mohamed Bazoum was born in 1960 in a village called Bilabrin, in what was then French Niger. This area is now part of the Diffa Region of Niger. He grew up in the town of Tesker, which is about 200 kilometers west of Bilabrin. His family belongs to the Ouled Slimane people, an Arab tribe. This group originally came from the Fezzan region of Libya. They are a small minority in Niger.
Bazoum went to primary school in Goure. He then graduated from Amadou-Kouran-Daga High School in Zinder. He studied philosophy at Cheikh Anta Diop University in Senegal from 1979 to 1984. He also earned a master's degree in political and moral philosophy from the same university.
After finishing his studies, Bazoum taught at high schools for six years. He also joined a national teachers' union. Later, he became part of the leadership for a larger workers' union.
Mohamed Bazoum is married to Hadiza Mabrouk Bazoum. They have four children together.
Starting His Political Journey
Bazoum helped create the Nigerien Party for Democracy and Socialism (PNDS) in 1990. He worked alongside Mahamadou Issoufou, who would later become president.
From 1991 to 1993, Bazoum served as the Secretary of State for Cooperation. This role was under the Minister of Foreign Affairs. In 1993, he was elected to the National Assembly, which is Niger's parliament. He represented the area of Tesker.
In 1995, after a parliamentary election, Bazoum became the Minister of Foreign Affairs. He served in this role under Prime Minister Hama Amadou. However, a military coup took place in January 1996. Bazoum was initially kept in his role but was later replaced.
The PNDS party did not support the new military leader, Ibrahim Baré Maïnassara. In July 1996, Bazoum was placed under house arrest with other party leaders. They were released a few weeks later. In 1998, Bazoum was arrested again but was released without charges.
Working in Parliament
In 2004, Bazoum was chosen as the Vice-President of the PNDS party. He was also re-elected to the National Assembly in December 2004. During this time, he served as the Third Vice-President of the National Assembly.
In 2007, Bazoum and other lawmakers voted to remove Prime Minister Hama Amadou from office. Bazoum said this showed the "maturity" of Niger's politicians.
In 2009, Bazoum was briefly held for questioning. This happened after he urged people to boycott a vote on the country's constitution. He called the vote and the later election a "coup d'état" and a "farce."
In 2010, President Mamadou Tandja was removed from power by a military coup. Bazoum said this was what they had feared. He also said that the former president should be put on trial for trying to stay in power illegally.
After Mahamadou Issoufou won the presidential election in 2011, he stepped down as the PNDS party leader. Bazoum then became the acting president of the party. In April 2011, Bazoum was appointed as the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs.
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In 2015, Bazoum moved to a new role as Minister of State at the Presidency. This move allowed him to focus on leading the PNDS party. He was preparing for Issoufou's re-election campaign in 2016.
Bazoum was re-elected to the National Assembly in 2016. After Issoufou began his second term, Bazoum was appointed Minister of State for the Interior. He started this new role in April 2016.
Becoming President (2021–2023)
As a senior member of the government, Bazoum was chosen to run for president for the PNDS party. The previous president, Issoufou, could not run again. Bazoum's campaign focused on important issues for Niger. These included managing population growth and improving education for girls. He also promised to fight against extremist groups and corruption.
Bazoum did not win the first round of the election in December 2020. However, he won the second round in February 2021 with 55.67% of the votes. He officially became president on 2 April 2021.
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In December 2022, Bazoum became the president of the West African Economic and Monetary Union (UEMOA). This is a group of West African countries that work together on economic matters.
Overthrow from Power
On 26 July 2023, soldiers from the Presidential Guard surrounded the presidential palace. They aimed to remove Bazoum from power. This action was condemned by international groups like the African Union and Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS). These groups called for Bazoum's immediate release.
Later that day, Bazoum was removed from office. A military group called the National Council for the Safeguard of the Homeland took control. General Abdourahamane Tchiani became their leader. Reports suggested that Bazoum had planned to dismiss Tchiani before the coup.
After the Presidency (2023–Present)
On 27 July, Bazoum stated that Nigeriens who believe in democracy would protect their "hard-won gains." This showed he refused to step down. His foreign minister also said that Bazoum was still the country's rightful leader.
Bazoum was held at the presidential palace with his wife and son. His daughters were in Paris at the time. Despite being held, Bazoum continued to refuse to resign. He was able to speak with world leaders, including the presidents of France and the US.
On 31 July, photos were released showing Bazoum meeting with the president of Chad. This was his first public appearance since the coup. On 3 August, Bazoum wrote an article in The Washington Post. He described himself as a "hostage." He asked the US and other countries to help restore the country's constitutional order. He warned that the region could fall under more Russian influence.
In August, his political party said that Bazoum and his family had been without electricity and water for a week. They only had dried and canned foods left. Later, his doctor said he was "fine, given the situation."
On 13 August, the military leaders announced they would try Bazoum for "high treason." This means betraying his country.
In December 2023, Bazoum's wife said she had not heard from him since October. This happened after other members of his family were arrested or had their homes searched.
On 10 December, ECOWAS offered to lift sanctions on Niger if Bazoum was freed. However, the military government refused this offer. On 15 December, a court ordered Bazoum's release and reinstatement as president.
In early 2024, Bazoum became ill with malaria. In June 2024, Niger's Supreme Court removed his special protection as a former president. This allowed them to charge him with high treason and other offenses. Bazoum has continued to refuse to resign. He remains held with his wife at his presidential residence.
See also
In Spanish: Mohamed Bazoum para niños
