Unjust detention and judicial intimidation of six journalists in Niger
On November 2, 2025, judicial police in Niamey arrested six journalists in blatant disregard of press freedom. Three were subsequently detained arbitrarily. The International Federation for Human Rights (FIDH) and the World Organisation Against Torture (OMCT), through the Observatory for the Protection of Human Rights Defenders, have condemned the judicial harassment against them and urgently called on Nigerien authorities to release them immediately and unconditionally.
Who are the detained journalists?
The arrested journalists include:
- Moussa Kaka, former RFI correspondent in Niger and current director of Radio-télévision Saraounia (RTS),
- Abdoul Aziz Idé, journalist at RTS’ Zarma service,
- Ibro Chaibou, host of the “Press Club” program and RTS editorial secretary,
- Youssouf Seriba, publisher of the news site “Échos du Niger”,
- Oumarou Kané, founder of the satirical weekly “Le Hérisson”,
- Souleymane Brah, publisher of the newspaper “La voix du peuple”.
The journalists face charges of “complicity in disseminating information likely to disturb public order” under Article 31 of the Cybercrime Law (Law No. 2019-33 of July 3, 2019), as amended by Ordinance 2024-28 of June 7, 2024. If convicted, they could face prison sentences ranging from two to five years.
Arbitrary detention and legal proceedings
The next day, November 3, 2025, the presiding judge of the Niamey High Court ordered the detention of three journalists—Ibro Chaibou, Youssouf Seriba, and Oumarou Kané—at the high-security prison in Kollo, about fifty kilometers south of the capital. Meanwhile, Moussa Kaka, Abdoul Aziz Idé, and Souleymane Brah were released on bail after hours of questioning, though the charges against them remain pending.
Their arrests followed the publication on social media—particularly Facebook—of an invitation to RTS to cover a press conference organized by the “Solidarity Fund for the Salvation of the Homeland (FSSP),” a military-backed structure collecting mandatory contributions from employees, NGOs, and the public to “support the army in its fight against radical groups.” The journalists also discussed a debate titled “the press club,” scheduled for October 31, 2025, on RTS.
Legal harassment as a tool to silence dissent
The Observatory emphasizes that publishing or discussing an invitation does not constitute a violation of the law, nor does it justify charges of “disturbing public order.” These prosecutions appear to be a deliberate attempt to intimidate these journalists and suppress press freedom in Niger, in clear violation of:
- Article 19 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR), and
- Article 9 of the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights.
This is not the first time Moussa Kaka has faced judicial persecution. In 2007, under the regime of Mamadou Tandja, he was charged with “complicity in undermining state authority” for his journalistic contacts with the Niger Movement for Justice (MNJ). He was eventually released in 2008 after strong international condemnation. His employer at the time, Radio France Internationale (RFI), was banned in Niger in August 2023.
Eroding civic space in Niger
Since the July 27, 2023 coup d’état, Niger has seen a systematic shrinking of civic space, with repeated violations of fundamental rights, including freedom of expression, association, assembly, and peaceful protest. Journalists are not the only targets:
- In May 2025, journalists Hamid Mahmoud, Mahaman Sani, and Massaouda Jaharou from Sahara FM in Agadez were arrested for reporting on alleged intelligence cooperation breakdowns between Niger and partners like Russia and Turkey. After brief releases, they were rearrested and detained. As of now, only Massaouda Jaharou has been provisionally released, while Mahmoud and Sani remain in detention.
- Moussa Tchangari, a prominent human rights defender, has been arbitrarily detained for nearly 12 months.
The Observatory calls for the immediate and unconditional release of all detained journalists, including Ibro Chaibou, Youssouf Seriba, Oumarou Kané, Hamid Mahmoud, and Mahaman Sani. It also demands the dismissal of all charges against them and their colleagues. Additionally, the Observatory urges Niger to revise its Cybercrime Law to align it with international human rights standards, particularly Article 19 of the ICCPR and Article 9 of the African Charter, which protect freedom of opinion and expression.
In June 2024, the National Council for the Safeguard of the Homeland (CNSP), Niger’s military leadership, issued Ordinance 2024-28, reinstating prison sentences for offenses such as insults, defamation via electronic means, or disseminating data likely to disrupt public order. The FIDH warned at the time that such vague provisions could be misused to silence human rights defenders, including journalists.
