Niger’s post-coup authorities jeopardizing human rights
Since the military coup on July 26, 2023, authorities in Niger have arbitrarily detained dozens of former government officials and suppressed critical media outlets and peaceful dissent, according to recent statements from Human Rights Watch and Amnesty International. These organizations urge the authorities to immediately release individuals held for politically motivated reasons and to uphold due process guarantees.
On July 26, General Abdourahmane Tiani, alongside other Nigerien army officers forming the self-proclaimed National Council for the Safeguard of the Homeland (CNSP), overthrew the government led by President Mohamed Bazoum. Following the coup, President Bazoum, his wife, and son have been held at the presidential palace in Niamey, the capital, while numerous other officials have faced arrest. The current authorities have also reportedly threatened, harassed, intimidated, and arbitrarily detained journalists, youth activists, presumed political opponents, and anyone expressing critical viewpoints.
arbitrary arrests and infringements on the right to freedom of expression by the authorities are setting Niger on a perilous path regarding human rights.
ilaria allegrozzi, senior Sahel researcher at human rights watch.
“The authorities must cease arbitrary detentions, respect human rights, and ensure press freedom,” she added.
In response to the coup, the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) closed borders between Niger and its member states on July 30, suspended commercial and financial transactions, and threatened military intervention if the CNSP did not reinstate President Bazoum. By August 10, ECOWAS had imposed sanctions, including travel bans and asset freezes, targeting the coup leaders and the nation. The African Union suspended Niger from participating in its bodies, institutions, and activities on August 22, yet expressed reservations about a potential West African military intervention, advocating for a peaceful approach to restore constitutional order.
On October 11, Nigerien authorities ordered the United Nations Resident Coordinator, Louise Aubin, to leave the country within 72 hours. They accused UN Secretary-General António Guterres of “sabotage” for excluding Niger from the UN General Assembly in September.
Since the coup, several former government officials have been arbitrarily arrested. These include Sani Mahamadou Issoufou, former Minister of Petroleum; Hamadou Adamou Souley, former Minister of Interior; Kalla Moutari, former Minister of Defense; and Ahmad Jidoud, former Minister of Finance. In September, these individuals were transferred to prisons in Filingué Say, Kollo in the Tillaberi region, and Niamey. They were subsequently charged with undermining state security before a military tribunal, despite being civilians, which contravenes due process guarantees. Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch classify these detentions as arbitrary due to their politically motivated nature.
Human Rights Watch has voiced concerns over the well-being of Mohamed Bazoum and his family. Both Human Rights Watch and Amnesty International insist that authorities must ensure their safety and respect their human rights. On August 13, the authorities announced their intention to prosecute Bazoum for “high treason” and endangering national security, though he has not yet appeared before a judge. On September 18, Mohamed Bazoum filed a petition with the ECOWAS Court of Justice in Abuja, Nigeria, citing human rights violations against him and his family during his detention. He also sought his immediate reinstatement as President of Niger. On October 3, Salem Mohamed Bazoum, son of the deposed president, challenged the legality of his detention before the Niamey High Court. The court ordered his release on October 6; however, the CNSP has yet to implement this decision. In an October 20 press release, Bazoum’s lawyers stated that he, his wife, and son were being held incommunicado, refuting military leaders’ claims that he attempted to escape.
Members of media organizations and journalists have informed Human Rights Watch and Amnesty International that since the coup, they have experienced increased pressure in their work, along with intimidation, including threats of violence and surveillance from government agents and other individuals.
Following the coup, local and international journalists have faced threats, online verbal harassment, and physical assaults. On August 3, the CNSP indefinitely suspended international news channels Radio France Internationale and France 24.
“Self-censorship has become a survival tactic for many of us, particularly those who have distanced themselves from the new authorities’ views and actions,” a Nigerien journalist told Human Rights Watch. “Journalists prefer not to discuss sensitive issues such as human rights.”
On September 30, men identifying themselves as security forces arrested Samira Sabou, a blogger and journalist, at her mother’s home in Niamey. “Men in plain clothes, claiming to be security forces, came to arrest Samira,” her husband recounted to Amnesty International. “They put a hood over her head and took her away.” Samira Sabou’s whereabouts remained unknown for seven days. Niamey’s judicial police initially denied her arrest, but on October 7, she was transferred to the criminal investigation department of Niamey police, 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.
Samira Sabou has a history of arrests related to her journalistic activities. In 2022, she received a suspended one-month prison sentence for her reporting on drug trafficking in Niger, and in 2020, she was arbitrarily detained for 48 days on cybercrime charges.
The authorities have actively silenced dissenting voices. In an August 22 decree, Tiani, Niger’s military leader, announced without explanation the revocation of six academics and state officials. The day prior, these individuals, along with other academics, had signed a petition disassociating themselves from an August 1 statement by the National Union of Teachers and Researchers that supported the CNSP. On October 3, Samira Ibrahim, a social media user known as “Precious Mimi,” received a six-month suspended prison sentence and a fine of 300,000 CFA francs (US$480) for “producing data likely to disturb public order.” She was charged for a Facebook post referencing Algeria’s refusal to recognize the new Nigerien government.
After the coup, CNSP supporters, sometimes organized into self-defense committees, committed acts of violence against members of Bazoum’s party, the Nigerien Party for Democracy and Socialism (PNDS-Tarayya), and others. These acts of violence may have been fueled by political tensions surrounding a potential ECOWAS military intervention.
On July 27, government supporters ransacked and set fire to the PNDS headquarters in Niamey. They also torched dozens of vehicles and physically assaulted several party members gathered at the premises. “A young man hit me with a stick, while another grabbed my breasts,” a woman reported. Witnesses stated that security forces failed to take adequate measures to prevent the violence.
In August, young members of pro-coup self-defense groups sexually assaulted several women during unauthorized patrols at major roundabouts in Niamey, according to police and the Nigerien Women’s Rights League. At least four victims filed complaints with the Nigerien police against their attackers, but no one has yet been charged for these offenses.
While the CNSP suspended Niger’s constitution, it pledged to uphold the rule of law, “pluralistic democracy,” and the rights and freedoms enshrined in the 1948 Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the 1981 African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights. The International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, to which Niger is a party, guarantees the right to freedom of expression and prohibits arbitrary arrest or detention.
“Niger stands at a critical juncture,” stated Ousmane Diallo, Sahel researcher at Amnesty International’s West and Central Africa regional office.
freedom of expression, dissent, and press freedom are fundamental to enjoying other rights and ensuring government accountability. the transitional military authorities must act decisively to end the escalating threats, harassment, intimidation, arrests, and violence against nigerien journalists, media organizations, and opponents, and take effective steps to respect, protect, promote, and implement the rights of all within the country.
ousmane diallo, Sahel researcher at amnesty international’s west and central africa regional office
