A year after seizing control through a coup, Niger’s military authorities have systematically suppressed opposition, independent media, and peaceful dissent, according to a joint statement released today by Amnesty International, Human Rights Watch, and the International Federation for Human Rights (FIDH).

These authorities have arbitrarily detained former President Mohamed Bazoum, along with at least 30 officials from his ousted government and individuals associated with the former president, as well as several journalists. Despite vowing to combat corruption, the military has also refused any scrutiny of its defense spending. The current government in Niger should 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 expenditures.

“One year following the military takeover, instead of progressing towards human rights and the rule of law, Niger’s military leadership is 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 authorities must release Mohamed Bazoum and all those held for political reasons, ensuring their due process rights are respected.”

On July 26, 2023, General Abdourahamane Tiani and other Nigerien army officers, acting as the National Council for the Safeguard of the Homeland (CNSP), overthrew Mohamed Bazoum, who was democratically elected president in 2021. They then arbitrarily detained him, his family, and several cabinet members. In response, on July 30, 2023, the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) imposed sanctions, including economic penalties, travel bans, and asset freezes against the coup leaders and the nation as a whole. On August 22, 2023, the African Union suspended Niger from participating in its bodies, institutions, and activities. However, on January 28, 2024, Niger, Burkina Faso, and Mali announced their withdrawal from ECOWAS, which subsequently lifted its 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 organizations have consistently voiced concerns about their well-being. In August 2023, authorities declared their intention to prosecute Mohamed Bazoum for “high treason” and undermining both internal and external state security, yet he has not been brought before a judge. In September 2023, Bazoum filed a lawsuit with the ECOWAS Court of Justice in Abuja, alleging human rights violations during his and his family’s detention. By December 2023, the ECOWAS Court ruled that Mohamed Bazoum’s detention was arbitrary and called for his release. In April, the authorities initiated legal proceedings to strip Bazoum of his presidential immunity, enabling his trial for alleged crimes committed after his 2021 election. On June 14, 2024, Niger’s State Court removed 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 overthrown government, including former ministers, presidential cabinet members, and individuals linked to the former president. These arrests occurred without adherence to due process or fair trial rights. Lawyers representing the detainees reported that their clients were held incommunicado by intelligence services before being transferred to high-security prisons on unsubstantiated charges. At least four were released on bail in April, while all others were charged with “undermining state security,” among other offenses, by a military court despite being civilians.

Since the 2023 coup, media freedom has been severely curtailed across the nation. Authorities have threatened, harassed, and arbitrarily detained journalists, many of whom report engaging in self-censorship due to fear of reprisal.

On September 30, individuals identifying themselves as security forces arrested blogger and journalist Samira Sabou at her mother’s home in Niamey. Sabou’s whereabouts remained unknown for seven days, with Niamey’s judicial police initially denying her arrest. However, on October 7, she was transferred to Niamey’s police criminal investigation unit, 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, though no trial 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 formation of a new media management committee to be led by the Interior Ministry’s secretary-general.

On April 13, security forces arrested Ousmane Toudou, a journalist and former communications adviser to the deposed president. In the days following the July 2023 coup, Toudou publicly denounced the military takeover in a widely shared social media message. 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 his 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 trial.

Tchima Illa Issoufou, a BBC Hausa correspondent in Niger, reported receiving threats from security force members who accused her of attempting to “destabilize Niger” due to her coverage of the security situation in the Tillabéri region of western Niger, where armed Islamist groups conduct attacks against civilians and security forces. “I was attacked by junta supporters on social media,” she explained to 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 is in violation of 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 published a press release announcing 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 through an information system,” had been used to repress human rights, particularly the right to 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. The June 12 modifications, however, reinstate prison sentences.

“The extensive list of attacks against journalists over the past year highlights the authorities’ resolve to curb 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 exploited to silence any dissenting voice, certainly targeting human rights defenders, activists, and journalists even further. Nigerien authorities must reverse this decision and uphold 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 pledged to fight corruption after assuming power, signed an ordinance revoking all oversight of military expenditures. The ordinance specifies that “expenses 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. Public accountability for military budgets and spending is vital for combating corruption and mismanagement. It also contributes to upholding human rights, the rule of law, proper management of military funds, and government accountability, the organizations noted.

“Public scrutiny of the army’s economic activities is not only essential for restoring civilian democratic rule 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 spending.”