Niger three years after the coup: a deepening human rights crisis

Niger’s democratic pillars under sustained attack since July 2023

Three years after General Abdourahamane Tiani led a military takeover that removed democratically elected President Mohamed Bazoum, the country’s political landscape has been reshaped by repression, legal manipulation, and diplomatic isolation. A critical assessment by international observers confirms that the National Council for the Safeguarding of the Homeland (CNSP) has systematically dismantled democratic institutions to consolidate authoritarian control.

Arbitrary detentions and a judiciary stripped of independence

The continued detention of former President Mohamed Bazoum and his spouse remains one of the most visible signs of the regime’s unyielding stance. Despite repeated international appeals and rulings from UN working groups demanding their immediate release, the military leadership has refused to comply. Meanwhile, civil society has come under intense pressure, as illustrated by the December 2024 arrest of human rights defender Moussa Tiangari. His legal team’s request for his release under standard provisional detention limits—set at 12 months for terrorism-related cases—was abruptly overruled when authorities extended the maximum detention period to four years through a retroactive amendment to the penal procedure code.

Crackdown on dissent: media, parties, and citizens in the crosshairs

The space for free expression and political participation has shrunk dramatically. All opposition parties have been dissolved, while independent trade unions and NGOs face suspension or forced closure. Media freedom has also been severely curtailed, with authorities using an updated cybercrime law to silence criticism. In October, six journalists were detained in Niamey simply for circulating an invitation to a press conference. The regime’s reach now extends beyond national borders, targeting exiled opponents through measures such as stripping citizenship, as seen in the recent case of opposition figure Mariama Djibrine.

Legal overreach and international withdrawal fuel instability

Domestically, a sweeping revision of the penal code in March introduced sentences of five to 20 years for same-sex relations and support for LGBT individuals. This law has already triggered multiple arrests and disrupted vital public health initiatives. On the global stage, Niger has taken steps to distance itself from key institutions, including withdrawing from ECOWAS and the International Criminal Court (ICC) in June. Analysts warn that these moves further isolate Nigerien citizens, particularly in volatile regions like Tillabéri, where civilian casualties continue to rise amid ongoing military operations.

Calls for decisive international action grow louder

With the political climate deteriorating and democratic norms eroded, human rights organizations are urging global partners to move beyond cautious engagement and demand accountability. Their priority: the immediate release of political detainees and the restoration of a clear roadmap toward civilian governance.