A year after the military coup in Niger, a coalition of human rights organizations, including Amnesty International, Human Rights Watch, and the International Federation for Human Rights (FIDH), reports a severe crackdown on opposition, independent media, and peaceful dissent by the ruling military authorities.
The junta has arbitrarily detained numerous individuals, including former President Mohamed Bazoum, at least 30 officials from his ousted government, and close associates, alongside several journalists. Despite vowing to combat corruption, the military has shielded its defense spending from public scrutiny. These organizations urge Niger’s authorities to promptly release all political detainees, uphold fundamental freedoms such as expression, opinion, and association, and publicly commit to transparency and accountability in managing military finances.
“One year after the military takeover, instead of making strides toward respecting human rights and the rule of law, Niger’s military authorities are intensifying their suppression of opposition, civil society, and independent media,” stated Samira Daoud, Amnesty International’s Regional Director for West and Central Africa. “They must immediately free Mohamed Bazoum and all those held for political reasons, while guaranteeing their rights to due process.”
On July 26, 2023, General Abdourahamane Tiani and other officers of the National Council for the Safeguard of the Homeland (CNSP) deposed Mohamed Bazoum, who had been democratically elected president in 2021. Bazoum, his family, and several cabinet members were subsequently placed under arbitrary detention. In response, on July 30, 2023, the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) imposed sanctions, which included economic measures, travel prohibitions, and asset freezes targeting the coup leaders and the nation. By August 22, 2023, the African Union had suspended Niger’s participation in all its institutions and activities. However, on January 28, 2024, Niger, Burkina Faso, and Mali declared their withdrawal from ECOWAS, leading the regional bloc to lift its sanctions against Niger on February 24.
Since the coup, Mohamed Bazoum and his wife have remained under detention at the presidential palace in Niamey, the capital. Human rights groups have repeatedly voiced concerns about their welfare. In August 2023, authorities announced plans to prosecute Mohamed Bazoum for “high treason” and undermining national security, though he has not yet faced a judge. In September 2023, Mohamed Bazoum filed a lawsuit with the ECOWAS Court of Justice in Abuja, alleging human rights violations during his family’s detention. The ECOWAS Court ruled in December 2023 that his detention was arbitrary and demanded his release. In April, authorities initiated legal proceedings to strip him of his presidential immunity, enabling prosecution for alleged crimes committed after his 2021 election. On June 14, 2024, Niger’s State Court officially lifted his immunity following a process that fell short of essential due process standards and international fair trial norms, including the right to defense.
The military government has also arbitrarily arrested at least 30 former officials, including ex-ministers, presidential cabinet members, and close associates of the deposed president. These individuals have been denied due process and fair trial rights. Lawyers representing the detainees reported that their clients were initially held incommunicado by intelligence services before being transferred to high-security prisons on unsubstantiated charges. While at least four were granted bail in April, the remaining detainees, all civilians, face charges such as “undermining state security” from a military tribunal.
Media freedom in Niger has been significantly curtailed since the 2023 coup. Authorities have resorted to threats, harassment, and arbitrary arrests of journalists, leading many to practice self-censorship to avoid reprisals.
On September 30, Samira Sabou, a prominent blogger and journalist, was arrested at her mother’s home in Niamey by individuals identifying as security forces. Her whereabouts remained unknown for seven days, despite initial denials from Niamey’s judicial police. She was eventually transferred to the criminal investigation unit on October 7, where she received visits from her lawyer and husband. On October 11, Samira Sabou 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 Maison de la Presse, an independent media organization, and announced the formation of a new media management committee under the Interior Ministry’s Secretary General.
On April 13, security forces apprehended Ousmane Toudou, a journalist and former communications advisor to the deposed president. Toudou had publicly denounced the military takeover on social media shortly after the July 2023 coup. In May 2024, he was charged with “conspiracy against state security” and placed in provisional detention.
Security forces arrested Soumana Maiga, editor-in-chief of L’Enquêteur, on April 24, after his newspaper republished an article from a French publication concerning alleged Russian agents installing surveillance systems on government buildings. He appeared before a judge in May, was detained for undermining national defense, and was released on July 9 pending trial.
Tchima Illa Issoufou, BBC Hausa correspondent in Niger, reported receiving threats from security force members who accused her of attempting to “destabilize Niger” through her reporting on the security situation in the Tillabéri region, western Niger. This area has seen attacks by armed Islamist groups against civilians and security forces. “I was attacked by junta supporters on social media,” she told Amnesty International in May after fleeing Niger. “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 Niger’s prisons “until further notice.” This action violates both 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 provision of data likely to disturb public order or harm human dignity via an information system,” had previously been used to suppress human rights, particularly online freedom of expression, in 2020. In 2022, Mohamed Bazoum’s government, responding to sustained civil society pressure, modified the law to replace prison sentences with fines for defamation-related offenses. However, the June 12 amendments reinstate custodial sentences.
“The extensive list of attacks on journalists over the past year underscores the authorities’ resolve to restrict press freedom and the right to information,” explained Drissa Traoré, FIDH Secretary General. “The recent amendment to the 2019 cybercrime law represents a dangerous regression and could be weaponized to silence any perceived dissenting voices, particularly targeting human rights defenders, activists, and journalists. Niger’s authorities must reverse this decision and safeguard 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 had pledged to combat corruption upon seizing power, signed an order revoking oversight of military expenditures. The decree stipulates that “expenses related to 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 in military budgets and spending is vital for combating corruption and mismanagement. It also contributes to upholding human rights, the rule of law, proper governance of military funds, and government accountability, as highlighted by the organizations.
“Public scrutiny of the military’s economic activities is not only crucial for restoring a civilian democratic regime 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. “Niger’s authorities should commit to transparency and accountability by immediately disclosing verifiable financial information on military spending.”
