In Niger, Amnesty International alerts rising repression for the reason that coup d’etat | EUROtoday

On Mar 23, 2025

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DIX-eight months after the coup d’etat of July 26, 2023 which overthrew the president elected Mohamed Bazoum, the CNSP army regime hardens his grip on Niger. Forced arrests, arbitrary detentions, assaults towards the media, ban on political events, flouted justice choices … So many shortcomings documented by the brand new report of the NGO Amnesty International (launched on March 18), which alerts the worrying state of affairs of human rights within the nation. Entitled “Niger.” Threatened and put in step: human rights and civic house underneath strain for the reason that coup d’etat of July 26 “, he underlines the serious violations of civil and political rights operated between July 2023 and January 2025. Critical voices as well as the former officials of the regime are threatened and repressed by a military regime which, by weakening the civic and political space, accentuates the division of society. The CNSP, which had justified the putsch of July 2023 by a sovereignist discourse denouncing “safety degradation” and “unhealthy governance”, had nevertheless committed to respecting the rule of law. A promise that now seems over.

Shaken by chronic instability, the Sahel has seen several military strokes succeed one another: in Mali (2020 and 2021), in Burkina Faso (January and September 2022), then in Niger on July 26, 2023. Under pressure after economic sanctions and the threat of an ECOWAS military intervention, the three jutes sealed an alliance in September 2023 (AES). They then acted their departure from the regional organization and broke their links with France and the European Union. In this logic of rupture and strategic reorientation, Niger, Burkina Faso and then Mali announced, Monday, March 17, their withdrawal from the International Organization of La Francophonie (OIF), which, like ECOWAS, demanded the release of Mohamed Bazoum.

A rule of law in danger

When he came to power, General Abdourahamane Tiani promised to guarantee respect for human rights and civil freedoms, in accordance with international commitments in Niger. Eighteen months later, reality is quite different. “Despite the guarantees given by the new Nigerian authorities, human rights have been trampled on in legislation and in practice. Our report shows that the Nigerian authorities have clearly failed, ”says Marceau Sivieude, acting regional director of Amnesty International for West Africa and Central Africa. And the “decline within the legislative framework” is obvious.

As soon as they took power, the soldiers suspended the 2010 Constitution as well as several key institutions, including the National Commission for Human Rights. Announced as a replacement, the new structures are slow to emerge, leaving the CNSP to concentrate all of the executive and legislative powers. The country is now governed by ordinances, often restrictive.

Among the most controversial measures is the restoration of the 2019 cybercrime law, which since July 2024 has condemned citizens for defamation, insult or dissemination of content deemed disturbing for public order. A formulation vague enough to target a wide range of opponents. Even more disturbing, an order from August 2024 has expanded the definition of terrorist offenses and authorizes the filing of persons and groups supposedly involved. Registered on this list, a citizen risks the freezing of his assets, but also the forfeiture of his nationality.

Since October 2024, 21 people have already paid the price, including several former ministers of the Bazoum government. “I only have Nigerian nationality and this provisional forfeiture could make me stateless. I do not intend to contest it because there is no longer any rule of law in Niger, ”said Hamid Ngadé, former communications advisor to the presidency. A drift denounced by Amnesty International: “This order deprives residents of their rights due to their opinions opposite to energy”, alerts Ousmane Diallo, researcher specialist in the Sahel.

In this climate of repression, political pluralism has practically disappeared. The parties have been suspended since the coup, reducing any institutional counter-power.

A lead screed on civil society and the media

Since coming to power, the Nigerian junta has continued to expand her repressive arsenal, museing both civil society and the media. Behind the speeches on sovereignty and public order, repression intensifies, establishing a climate of fear and generalized self -censorship.

The intelligence services, in particular the DGSE, are pointed out for forced disappearances, arbitrary arrests and prolonged detentions, despite the denials of the authorities. Moussa Tchangari, an emblematic figure of civil society, paid the price. Arrested violently at his home on December 3, 2024, he was detained in secret for several days before being charged with the apology of terrorism, involved in state security and association of criminals. He risks up to ten years in prison. Arrests at the workplace or at the family home, harassment and constant threats … Target repression all those who express criticism of power.

Power feeds a deep fracture within society, opposing the “patriots” acquired by the junta with the “stateless”, a term disparaging those who issue reserves on its governance. “We live in an exceptional state which constitutes a serious challenge for civil society organizations. People are afraid of speaking and organizing activities perceived as criticism of the authorities, “stated an affiliation official in Niamey. Formerly house of trade and mobilization, the platform of civil society organizations is immediately fragmented, undermined by divisions.

A press underneath shut surveillance

After limiting freedom of expression, the CNSP is heading head -on to press freedom. First sufferer, the press home was suspended in January 2024 and changed by an interim committee subservient to energy. Since then, media surveillance has intensified. RFI and France 24 had been suspended in August 2023, adopted by the BBC in December 2024, for 3 months.

Journalists are usually not spared. Ousmane Toudou, former advisor to Mohamed Bazoum, and Soumana Maïga, director of publication of a each day newspaper, had been arrested in April 2024 for publications on social networks. Judged earlier than a army courtroom whereas they’re civilians, Maïga obtained provisional freedom, whereas Toudou stays detained. Blogger and activist Samira Sabou, alternatively, was the sufferer of a pressured disappearance earlier than being continued underneath the 2019 cybercrime legislation.

To uncover

The kangaroo of the day

Answer

Faced with the menace, self -censorship is crucial. The sources refuse to testify with an open face, journalists weigh every phrase. “Now when you write, you have to think twice. There is no one left to defend the press, ”said one of them to Amnesty International.

“Freedom of expression, dissent and freedom of the press are essential to the enjoyment of other rights and the obligation for the government to account. Niger is at a decisive turning point, “stated Ousmane Diallo. A essential turning level is looming. At the top of February, the National Assizes report beneficial a renewable 5 -year transition with the likelihood for present leaders to current themselves within the subsequent elections. A perspective which confirms the anchoring of army energy and even additional removes Niger from a return to the rule of legislation.

https://www.lepoint.fr/afrique/au-niger-amnesty-international-alerte-sur-la-repression-croissante-depuis-le-coup-d-etat-22-03-2025-2585409_3826.php