Niger: a year of escalating human rights suppression since the coup
(Nairobi) – One year following the military takeover, authorities in Niger have intensified their crackdown on opposition voices, independent media, and peaceful dissent, as reported today by Amnesty International, Human Rights Watch, and the International Federation for Human Rights (FIDH).
The current regime has engaged in arbitrary arrests, targeting former President Mohamed Bazoum, at least 30 officials from the deposed government, close associates of the ousted leader, and several journalists. Despite vowing to combat corruption, the military authorities have simultaneously blocked oversight of their military expenditures. These organizations urge Nigerien authorities to immediately release all individuals detained on political grounds, uphold fundamental freedoms including rights to expression, opinion, and association, and publicly commit to transparency and accountability in managing military spending.
“A year after the military coup, instead of progressing towards respect for human rights and the rule of law, Niger’s military authorities are tightening their grip on opposition, civil society, and independent media,” stated Samira Daoud, Amnesty International’s Regional Director for West and Central Africa. “The Nigerien military leadership must free Mohamed Bazoum and all political detainees, ensuring their rights to due process are respected.”
On July 26, 2023, General Abdourahamane Tiani, alongside other Nigerien army officers forming the National Council for the Safeguard of the Homeland (CNSP), overthrew Mohamed Bazoum, who was democratically elected president in 2021. Bazoum, his family, and several cabinet members were subsequently held in arbitrary detention. In response, the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) imposed sanctions on July 30, 2023, which included economic penalties, travel bans, and asset freezes targeting coup leaders and the nation. By August 22, 2023, the African Union had suspended Niger from all its bodies and activities. However, on January 28, 2024, Niger, Burkina Faso, and Mali announced their withdrawal from ECOWAS, leading to the regional bloc lifting sanctions against Niger on February 24.
Since the coup, Mohamed Bazoum and his wife have been confined to the presidential palace in Niamey, the capital. The three human rights organizations have consistently voiced concerns regarding their well-being. In August 2023, authorities declared their intention to prosecute Mohamed Bazoum for “high treason” and undermining national and external security, yet he has not been brought before a judge. In September 2023, Bazoum filed a lawsuit with the ECOWAS Court of Justice in Abuja, citing human rights violations during his family’s detention. The ECOWAS Court ruled in December 2023 that Bazoum’s detention was arbitrary and called for his release. In April, authorities initiated legal proceedings to lift Bazoum’s presidential immunity, aiming to try him for alleged crimes committed after his 2021 election. On June 14, 2024, Niger’s State Court removed his immunity following a process that failed to adhere to essential due process and international fair trial standards, including the right to defense.
Military authorities have also arbitrarily arrested at least 30 former government officials, including ex-ministers, presidential cabinet members, and individuals linked to the former president. These detentions occurred without proper due process or respect for their fair trial rights. Lawyers representing the arrested individuals reported their clients were held incommunicado by intelligence services before being transferred to high-security prisons on unsubstantiated charges. While at least four were granted bail in April, all others face charges such as “undermining state security” from a military tribunal, despite being civilians.
Since the 2023 coup, media freedom in Niger has been severely curtailed. Authorities have threatened, harassed, and arbitrarily arrested journalists, many of whom report engaging in self-censorship due to fear of retribution.
On September 30, individuals identifying as security forces arrested journalist and blogger Samira Sabou at her mother’s home in Niamey. Sabou’s whereabouts remained unknown for seven days, with Niamey’s judicial police initially denying her arrest. However, on October 7, she was transferred to the criminal investigation unit, where her lawyer and husband visited her. On October 11, she was charged with “producing and disseminating data likely to disturb public order” and released pending trial, for which no date has been set.
On January 29, the Interior Minister issued a decree suspending the activities of the Maison de la Presse, an independent media organization, and announced the formation of a new media management committee led by the ministry’s secretary-general.
On April 13, security forces arrested Ousmane Toudou, a journalist and former communications advisor to the ousted president. In the days following the July 2023 coup, Toudou had publicly condemned the military takeover on social media. By May 2024, he was charged with “conspiracy against state security” and placed in provisional detention.
On April 24, security forces arrested Soumana Maiga, publishing director of L’Enquêteur, after the newspaper republished an article from a French newspaper about alleged Russian agents installing eavesdropping systems on official state buildings. He was brought before a judge in May, detained for undermining national defense, and released on July 9 pending trial.
Tchima Illa Issoufou, the BBC Hausa correspondent in Niger, reported receiving threats from security forces, accusing her of attempting to “destabilize Niger” due to her coverage of the security situation in the Tillabéri region, western Niger, where armed Islamist groups conduct attacks against civilians and security forces. “I was attacked by junta supporters on social media,” she explained to Amnesty International in May after fleeing Niger for another country. “They accused me of working under foreign influence.” On April 26, security forces arrested Ali Tera, a civil society activist whom Tchima Illa Issoufou had interviewed.
On May 29, the Minister of Justice and Human Rights issued a circular suspending all visits by human rights organizations to Nigerien prisons “until further notice.” This action violates national and international human rights law, including the Convention Against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment, which Niger ratified in 1988.
On June 12, the Minister of Justice and Human Rights announced amendments to a 2019 cybercrime law. This law, which criminalized “the dissemination, production, and making available of data likely to disturb public order or undermine human dignity through an information system,” was previously used to suppress human rights, particularly online freedom of expression in 2020. In 2022, Mohamed Bazoum’s government, following sustained civil society advocacy, amended the law, replacing prison sentences with fines for defamation-related offenses. However, the June 12 amendments reinstate prison sentences.
“The extensive list of attacks against journalists over the past year highlights the authorities’ determination to restrict press freedom and the right to access information,” explained Drissa Traoré, Secretary General of the FIDH. “The amendment to the 2019 cybercrime law represents a dangerous regression and could be used to silence any perceived dissenting voices, and certainly to further target human rights defenders, activists, and journalists. Nigerien authorities must reverse this decision and guarantee freedom of expression.”
The African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, both ratified by Niger in 1986, guarantee the rights to freedom of opinion and expression.
On February 23, Abdourahamane Tiani, who pledged to combat corruption after seizing power, signed an order abrogating all oversight of military expenditures. The order stipulates that “expenditures for the acquisition of equipment or material or any other supply, the execution of works or services intended for the defense and security forces […] are excluded from the scope of public procurement and public accounting legislation” and are also tax-exempt. Transparency regarding military budgets and expenditures is crucial for combating corruption and mismanagement. It also contributes to upholding human rights and the rule of law, ensuring proper management of military spending, and government accountability, the organizations stated.
“Public scrutiny of the army’s economic activities is not only essential for restoring a civilian democratic government and holding military authorities accountable for abuses, but also for preventing the loss of public resources due to corruption and mismanagement,” concluded Ilaria Allegrozzi, Senior Sahel Researcher at Human Rights Watch. “Nigerien authorities should commit to transparency and accountability by immediately disclosing verifiable financial information on military spending.”
