Two Nigerien journalists walk free after eight months in detention

After eight grueling months behind bars, Youssouf Seriba and Oumarou Kané—two prominent Nigerien journalists—have been released from custody. The pair, who had been held since November 2025, were accused of complicity in the dissemination of a document deemed likely to disrupt public order.

The document in question was tied to a press briefing held by the Fonds de solidarité, an entity established by the military authorities. While Seriba, editor-in-chief of the online publication Les Échos du Niger, and Kané, director of the newspaper Le Hérisson, are now free, their ordeal highlights the ongoing pressures facing the country’s media landscape.

Press freedom under scrutiny in Niger

The leaked document had circulated widely on social media and was later exploited by supporters of Mohamed Bazoum, the ousted president, to challenge the legitimacy of the current military regime. This incident underscores the heightened tensions surrounding freedom of expression in Niger following the 2023 coup d’état.

Despite the release of Seriba and Kané, another journalist remains incarcerated in connection with the same case. Official records from 2025 indicate that at least thirteen journalists were detained in Niger, with press freedom advocates warning of a deteriorating environment for independent reporting. The military government, led by Abdourahamane Tiani, continues to face criticism over its handling of dissent and media restrictions.

The situation reflects broader challenges across the region, where media professionals often operate under the threat of legal repercussions for critical coverage.