In an appeal published in French newspaper Le Monde, the signatories urged the army chiefs who overthrew Bazoum to release the democratically elected leader.

In their view Bazoum and his wife Hadiza were "the victims of arbitrary detentions", kept in "very harsh conditions" under strict surveillance and with limited communication with the outside world.

Led by General Abdourahamane Tiani, Niger's military authorities accuse Bazoum of treason, financing terrorism and plotting to undermine the state.

But the writers, which also include Cameroonian author Achille Mbembe, argued: "The putschists intend to make President Bazoum pay the price for his resolute fight for freedoms and the rule of law, and even more, the price for his vigorous fight against corruption and embezzlement of public funds."

Bazoum refused to resign after his ousting and has been held at the presidential palace since the coup.

Since gaining independence from former colonial ruler France in 1960, Niger has seen five coups along with a further two attempts.

The military leaders justified their taking power by citing the deteriorating security situation.

Yet insecurity persists. Some 1,500 civilians and soldiers have died in jihadist attacks in Niger in the last year, according to the Armed Conflict Location and Event Data Project.

By contrast, 650 people died between July 2022 and 2023, when Bazoum was in charge.