Ambassador Kamissa Camara, Ford School professor of practice in international diplomacy, has contributed to a newly released book, 25 Letters to President Mohamed Bazoum: Philosopher, Prisoner and Resistance Fighter. The book is a collective work advocating for the release of Mohamed Bazoum, Niger’s president who has been held captive in his home since Niger’s military coup d’état that ousted him in July 2023.
Published by French publishing house Katharla, the work features contributions from 26 African leaders and intellectuals, including numerous heads of state and government officials. Each personal letter addressed to Bazoum highlights diverse perspectives on critical socio-political issues and underscores the contributors' collective commitment to democracy, the rule of law, and human rights.
In her powerful letter, Camara reflects on their professional interactions over the years, highlighting his deep knowledge of the Sahel’s challenges, his pragmatic leadership, and his contributions to regional security and diplomacy.
“My letter to Mohamed Bazoum is a heartfelt expression of solidarity and admiration for his resilience and commitment to democracy,” Ambassador Camara said. “I recount significant moments from our shared history, including Bazoum’s gracious support for a Sahel Strategic Forum I organized back in 2014, and our conversations during key political events in Niger and Mali. His election as President of Niger in 2021 was a hopeful moment for the Sahel.”
Camara condemns the coup d’état that ousted Bazoum in 2023, describing it as a brutal and illegitimate act that disrupted his positive initiatives. She questions the validity of coups in advancing governance and democracy, warning of the dangers they pose to progress in the region.
25 Letters to President Mohamed Bazoum: Philosopher, Prisoner and Resistance Fighter is available on Amazon.
