(Nairobi) – One year has passed since the military takeover in Niger, and authorities have systematically suppressed opposition, independent media, and peaceful dissent, as reported today by Amnesty International, Human Rights Watch, and the International Federation for Human Rights (FIDH).
The military regime has arbitrarily detained former President Mohamed Bazoum, along with at least 30 officials from the ousted government and individuals associated with the deposed leader, as well as several journalists. Despite public commitments to combat corruption, they have blocked any scrutiny of military expenditures. These human rights organizations urge Nigerien authorities to immediately release all political detainees, uphold fundamental freedoms including rights to expression, opinion, and association, and publicly commit to transparency and accountability in managing military spending.
“A year following the military coup, instead of progressing towards respect for human rights and the rule of law, Niger’s military authorities are intensifying pressure on opposition figures, civil society, and independent media,” stated Samira Daoud, Amnesty International’s Regional Director for West and Central Africa. “The Nigerien military must free Mohamed Bazoum and all others held for political reasons, ensuring their rights to due process are guaranteed.”
On July 26, 2023, General Abdourahamane Tiani and other officers from Niger’s National Council for the Safeguard of the Homeland (CNSP) overthrew Mohamed Bazoum, who was democratically elected President in 2021. Bazoum, his family, and several cabinet members were arbitrarily detained. In response, on July 30, 2023, the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) imposed sanctions, including economic measures, travel bans, and asset freezes on coup leaders and the nation. The African Union suspended Niger from all its activities on August 22, 2023. However, on January 28, 2024, Niger, Burkina Faso, and Mali announced their withdrawal from ECOWAS, which subsequently lifted sanctions against Niger on February 24.
Since the coup, Mohamed Bazoum and his wife have been held at the presidential palace in Niamey, the capital. The three human rights groups have repeatedly voiced concerns about their well-being. In August 2023, authorities declared their intent to prosecute Mohamed Bazoum for “high treason” and undermining national security, though he has yet to face a judge. In September 2023, 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 called for his release. In April, authorities initiated legal proceedings to lift Bazoum’s presidential immunity, aiming to try him for alleged crimes committed after his 2021 election. On June 14, 2024, Niger’s State Court lifted his immunity following a process that failed to meet essential due process standards and international fair trial norms, including the right to defense.
Military authorities have also arbitrarily arrested at least 30 officials from the former government, including ex-ministers, presidential cabinet members, and associates of the former president. These individuals have been denied due process and fair trial rights. Lawyers representing the arrested reported that their clients were held incommunicado by intelligence services before being transferred to high-security prisons on unsubstantiated charges. While at least four were released on bail in April, all others have been accused of “undermining state security” and other offenses by a military tribunal, despite being civilians.
Since the 2023 coup, media freedom has been severely curtailed across Niger. Authorities have intimidated, harassed, and arbitrarily detained journalists, many of whom report engaging in self-censorship due to fear of retaliation.
On September 30, individuals identifying themselves as security forces arrested Samira Sabou, a blogger and journalist, at her mother’s home in Niamey. Sabou’s whereabouts remained unknown for seven days. Niamey’s judicial police initially denied her arrest, but she was transferred to the criminal investigation unit on October 7, 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, for which no date has been set.
On January 29, the Minister of Interior issued a decree suspending the activities of Maison de la Presse, an independent media organization, and announced the creation of a new media management committee led by the ministry’s secretary-general.
On April 13, security forces arrested Ousmane Toudou, a journalist and former communications advisor to the deposed president. Days after the July 2023 coup, Toudou had denounced the military takeover in a widely shared social media post. In May 2024, he was charged with “conspiracy against state security” and placed in pre-trial detention.
On April 24, security forces arrested Soumana Maiga, publishing director of *L’Enquêteur*, after the newspaper republished an article from a French newspaper about the alleged installation of listening devices by Russian agents on official state buildings. He appeared before a judge in May, was detained for undermining national defense, and released on July 9 pending his trial.
Tchima Illa Issoufou, a BBC Hausa correspondent in Niger, reported receiving threats from security forces accusing her of attempting to “destabilize Niger” due to her coverage of the security situation in the Tillabéri region, western Niger, where armed Islamist groups conduct attacks against civilians and security forces. “I was attacked by junta supporters on social media,” she told Amnesty International in May after fleeing Niger for another country. “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 Nigerien prisons “until further notice.” This action violates 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 modifications to a 2019 cybercrime law. This law, which criminalized “the dissemination, production, and making available of data likely to disturb public order or harm human dignity through an information system,” was used to suppress human rights, particularly online freedom of expression, in 2020. In 2022, Mohamed Bazoum’s government, following a sustained civil society campaign, amended the law, replacing prison sentences with fines for defamation-related offenses. However, the June 12 modifications reinstate prison sentences.
“The extensive list of attacks against journalists over the past year highlights the authorities’ determination to restrict press freedom and the right to access information,” explained Drissa Traoré, FIDH Secretary-General. “The amendment to the 2019 cybercrime law represents a dangerous regression and could be used to silence any dissenting voices, and certainly to further target human rights defenders, activists, and journalists. Nigerien authorities must reverse this decision and guarantee 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 fight corruption after seizing power, signed an ordinance revoking all oversight of military expenditures. The ordinance states that “expenditures for 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 regarding military budgets and expenditures is crucial for combating corruption and mismanagement. Furthermore, it contributes to respecting human rights and the rule of law, ensuring proper management of military spending, and government accountability, the organizations affirmed.
“Public scrutiny of the army’s economic activities is not only essential for re-establishing 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. “Nigerien authorities should commit to transparency and accountability by immediately disclosing verifiable financial information on military expenditures.”