Since the military takeover on July 26, 2023, Nigerien authorities have arbitrarily detained numerous former government officials and suppressed critical media along with peaceful dissent, according to recent reports from Human Rights Watch and Amnesty International. These authorities must immediately release individuals held for politically motivated reasons and ensure that due process safeguards are rigorously upheld.

The July 26 coup saw General Abdourahmane Tiani and other Nigerien army officers, operating under the self-proclaimed National Council for the Safeguard of the Homeland (CNSP), oust President Mohamed Bazoum’s government. Following the coup, President Bazoum, his wife, and son have been confined to the presidential palace in Niamey, the capital, while other officials have also faced arrest. The current leadership has intimidated, harassed, threatened, and arbitrarily detained journalists, young activists, perceived political opponents, and anyone expressing critical viewpoints.

“The arbitrary arrests and infringements on the right to freedom of expression by the authorities are steering Niger onto a perilous course for human rights.”

Ilaria Allegrozzi, senior Sahel researcher at Human Rights Watch.

“Authorities must cease arbitrary detentions, uphold human rights, and guarantee 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 President Bazoum. On August 10, ECOWAS imposed further sanctions, including travel bans and asset freezes, on the coup leaders and the nation. The African Union suspended Niger from participating in its bodies and activities on August 22, yet expressed reservations about a potential West African military intervention, advocating instead for a peaceful approach to restore constitutional order.

On October 11, Nigerien authorities ordered United Nations Resident Coordinator Louise Aubin to depart the country within 72 hours. They accused UN Secretary-General António Guterres of “sabotage” for Niger’s exclusion from the UN General Assembly in September.

Post-coup, authorities have arbitrarily detained several former government figures, including Sani Mahamadou Issoufou, ex-Minister of Petroleum; Hamadou Adamou Souley, former Interior Minister; Kalla Moutari, ex-Defense Minister; and Ahmad Jidoud, former Finance Minister. In September, these individuals were transferred to prisons in Filingué Say, Kollo (Tillaberi region), and Niamey, subsequently charged with undermining state security by a military court, despite being civilians. This action violates due process guarantees. 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 Human Rights Watch and Amnesty International assert that authorities must ensure their safety and respect their human rights. On August 13, authorities announced their intent to prosecute Bazoum for “high treason” and endangering national security, though 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 during his family’s detention and requesting his immediate reinstatement as Niger’s president. On October 3, Salem Mohamed Bazoum, the son of the ousted 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 release, Bazoum’s lawyers stated that he, his wife, and son were being held incommunicado, refuting military leaders’ claims that he attempted to escape.

Members of media organizations and journalists have informed Human Rights Watch and Amnesty International of escalating pressure, intimidation, including threats of violence, and surveillance from government agents and other actors since the coup.

Following the coup, local and international journalists have faced threats, online verbal harassment, and physical assaults. 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’ views and actions,” a Nigerien journalist told Human Rights Watch. “Journalists prefer not to cover sensitive issues like human rights.”

On September 30, men identifying as security forces arrested blogger and journalist Samira Sabou at her mother’s home in Niamey. “Men in plain clothes, claiming to be security forces, came to arrest Samira,” her husband explained to Amnesty International. “They put a hood over her head and took her away.” Samira Sabou’s whereabouts remained unknown for seven days. Niamey’s judicial police initially denied her arrest, but on October 7, she was transferred to Niamey’s criminal police 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 subsequently 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 reporting on drug trafficking in Niger, and in 2020, she was arbitrarily detained for 48 days on cybercrime charges.

Authorities have actively silenced dissenting voices. A decree on August 22 by Tiani, Niger’s military leader, announced the unexplained revocation of six academics and state officials. The day prior, these individuals, along with other academics, had signed a petition distancing 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,” was handed 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 Niger’s new 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 looted and torched 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 failed to 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 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 the right to freedom of expression and prohibits arbitrary arrest or detention.

“Niger is 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 crucial for the enjoyment of other rights and for governmental 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 citizens in the country.”

Ousmane Diallo, Sahel researcher at Amnesty International’s West and Central Africa regional office