Since the military takeover on July 26, 2023, authorities in Niger have arbitrarily detained numerous former government officials and stifled critical media and peaceful dissent, according to reports from Human Rights Watch and Amnesty International. These authorities are urged to immediately release all individuals held for politically motivated reasons and to uphold due process safeguards.
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 President Mohamed Bazoum’s government. Since the coup, Bazoum, his wife, and son have been confined to the presidential palace in Niamey, the capital, while other officials faced arrest. Authorities have also resorted to threats, harassment, intimidation, and arbitrary arrests against journalists, young activists, perceived political opponents, and anyone expressing critical views.
“The arbitrary arrests and infringements on freedom of expression by the authorities are steering Niger down a perilous path for human rights.”
Ilaria Allegrozzi, senior Sahel researcher at Human Rights Watch.
“Authorities must cease arbitrary detentions, uphold human rights, and ensure press freedom.”
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 Bazoum. By August 10, ECOWAS had imposed sanctions, including travel bans and asset freezes, on the coup leaders and the nation. On August 22, the African Union suspended Niger from participating in its bodies and activities, though it expressed reservations about a potential West African military intervention, advocating instead for a peaceful approach to restore constitutional order.
On October 11, Nigerien authorities gave the United Nations Resident Coordinator, Louise Aubin, 72 hours to leave the country. They accused UN Secretary-General António Guterres of “sabotage” for Niger’s exclusion from the UN General Assembly in September.
Following the coup, several former government officials were arbitrarily arrested, including Sani Mahamadou Issoufou, former Minister of Oil; 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 (Tillaberi region), and Niamey, then charged with undermining state security in a military court, despite being civilians, which violates due process guarantees. Both Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch consider these detentions arbitrary and politically motivated.
Human Rights Watch has voiced concerns regarding the welfare of Mohamed Bazoum and his family. Both organizations insist that authorities must ensure their safety and respect their human rights. On August 13, authorities declared their intent to prosecute Bazoum for “high treason” and endangering national security, but he has yet to appear 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, and seeking his immediate reinstatement as president of Niger. On October 3, Salem Mohamed Bazoum, the 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 not yet implemented this decision. In an October 20 press statement, Bazoum’s lawyers asserted that he, his wife, and son were being held incommunicado, refuting military leaders’ claims of an escape attempt.
Members of media organizations and journalists have informed Human Rights Watch and Amnesty International that since the coup, they have faced increasing pressure, intimidation, including threats of violence and surveillance from government agents and other individuals, while carrying out their work.
Post-coup, local and international journalists have been threatened, verbally harassed online, and physically assaulted. 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, especially those who have distanced themselves from the new authorities’ opinions and actions,” a Nigerien journalist told Human Rights Watch. “Journalists prefer not to discuss sensitive issues like human rights.”
On September 30, men identifying as security forces arrested Samira Sabou, a blogger and journalist, at her mother’s home in Niamey. “Men in civilian 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. The Niamey judicial police initially denied her arrest, but on October 7, she was transferred to the Niamey police’s criminal brigade, 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.
Authorities have also silenced dissenting voices. In an August 22 decree, Tiani, Niger’s military leader, announced the unexplained dismissal 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.” Her charge stemmed from 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. This 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 burned dozens of vehicles and physically assaulted several party members gathered at the headquarters. “A young man hit me with a stick, while another grabbed my breasts,” a woman recounted. Witnesses reported that security forces did not take adequate measures to prevent the violence.
In August, young members of pro-coup self-defense groups sexually assaulted several women during illegal 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 been charged for these offenses to date.
The CNSP suspended Niger’s constitution but pledged to uphold the rule of law, “pluralist 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 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 the enjoyment of other rights and to 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 in the country.”
Ousmane Diallo, Sahel researcher at Amnesty International’s West and Central Africa regional office
