NIGER: “THREATENED AND BROUGHT TO HEEL”
TIMELINE OF KEY EVENTS SINCE 26 JULY 2023 COUP
A NATION IN TURMOIL
On 26 July 2023, Niger’s elected president Mohamed Bazoum was overturned as the military seized power, detaining him, suspending the constitution and dissolving key institutions. The coup d’etat, led by the National Council for the Safeguard of the Homeland (CNSP), was justified by claims of deteriorating security and economic mismanagement, but its aftermath brought severe repression and human rights violations. The military authorities quickly seized all powers, suppressing opposition voices, limiting civil liberties and civic space and targeting anyone who questioned its rule.
The country has since regularly seen arbitrary arrests and a legal framework designed to crush dissent. International pressure has mounted, but the authorities remain defiant, leveraging anti-imperialist rhetoric and patriotism to justify their actions.
ARBITRARY DETENTION: SILENCING FORMER REGIME AND POLITICAL OPPOSITION
In the immediate aftermath of the coup, authorities arrested political figures and suspended all activities of political parties. Former President Mohamed Bazoum, his wife and his son were placed under house arrest with limited access to medical care and legal representation. Despite the ECOWAS’ (Economic Community of West African States) court of justice ordering their release, they remain detained, and the military regime has moved to strip Bazoum of his presidential immunity. The son of Bazoum was finally released in January 2024 following a mediation by Togo.
Meanwhile, at least seven former government ministers were arbitrarily arrested on politically motivated charges. Some were transferred to remote prisons under harsh conditions, where they remain without fair trial rights. In multiple cases, courts have ruled for the release of some of the detainees, but the authorities refuse to comply, reinforcing a climate of total lack of respect for the rule of law and fear.
The widespread use of arbitrary detentions has silenced opposition leaders and instilled fear among activists and leading to self-censorship, making public dissent increasingly dangerous.
MEDIA UNDER SIEGE
major international media outlets suspended.
Freedom of the press has been one of the most immediate casualties of the coup d’etat. The military-led government has systematically dismantled press freedoms, suspending major international media outlets such as RFI and France 24 and BBC temporarily. Journalists like Ousmane Toudou and Soumana Maiga have been arbitrarily arrested for reporting on government actions, while others have been forced to self-censorship.
If you criticize the government, be sure that you risk being arrested.
Nigerien civil society member
Journalists face threats and intimidation. Some have been detained in undisclosed locations, with their families left in the dark about their whereabouts. Online spaces have not been spared—social media platforms are heavily monitored, and individuals have been arrested for posting content deemed critical of the authorities.
The Press House, an umbrella of 32 media organisations aimed at protecting freedom of the press has been suspended.
The attacks against the media have created a chilling effect, forcing many to self-censor. Without independent journalism, citizens are deprived of vital reliable information, and government abuses continue unchecked.
There was nothing to eat at night. In this cell, the smell of my urine began to bother me [as there were no washrooms and I was forced to urinate in a bucket], as well as the smell of paint. All the time they didn’t let me wash or change my clothes […]Hadiza*, an activist who was arbitrarily detained.
CRACKDOWN ON CIVIL SOCIETY
Human rights defenders and activists have been prime targets of the military regime. Organizations advocating for democracy, transparency, and human rights have been accused of being “un-patriotics” and “threatening national security” and face constant harassment.
Two of the most concerning cases are the ones of Hadiza* and Samira Sabou, two activists detained for social media posts criticizing the government. Security forces took them from their homes in the middle of the night, and they were held incommunicado for days before being formally charged under Niger’s draconian cybercrime laws.
Protests opposing the military regime have been met with brutal crackdowns. The right to peaceful assembly has been effectively suspended, making any form of organized peaceful protest nearly impossible.
Civil society organizations are struggling to operate under the constant threat of government reprisal. Some activists have even fled the country, leaving a significant void in Niger’s human rights landscape.
FREEDOM OF EXPRESSION UNDER ATTACK
An amendment of the cybercrime law introduced in June 2024 has further eroded freedoms. The law criminalizes online criticism, imposing harsh prison sentences and heavy fines on those accused of “insulting” authorities or “disturbing public order. Since its promulgation, the law has been used to target journalists and civil society members, especially those covering sensitive political issues.
We no longer feel safe speaking our minds.
— Nigerien social activist
In a nutshell, what the Cybercrime Law means if misused by the authorities:
Posting critical content online (charged for defamation) → Up to 3 years in prison and a fine between one to five million XOF (1,643 USD to 8,000 USD)
Calling for dissent (charged for dissemination of data disturbing public order) → Up to 5 years in prison and a fine between two to five million XOF (3,286 USD to 8,000 USD)
The law has been used to silence dissenting voices, particularly those who highlight government failures or call for democratic reforms. Many social media users now resort to anonymous accounts or encrypted communication to share information, fearing government reprisal.
The broad and vague wording of the law allows authorities to prosecute almost anyone, making public discourse fraught with risk. As a result, self-censorship has become widespread, and the space for critical debate has all but disappeared.
A CALL FOR JUSTICE
More than eighteen months after the coup, Niger remains in a state of uncertainty. The military authorities did not restore constitutional order and have entrenched their power through repression. Amnesty International calls on the Nigerien authorities to:
Immediately release all individuals arbitrarily detained, including former President Mohamed Bazoum, his wife, former cabinet ministers, human rights defenders Moussa Tchangari and journalist Ousmane Toudou
Respect the rule of law. due process and rights of the defence, by putting an end to illegal detention, including enforced disappearances, and to the use of military courts to try civilians
End the crackdown on journalists, human rights defenders and activists and protect civic space by amending the cybercrime law in conformity with international human rights law, lifting the suspensions of the Press House and of the activities of political parties and guaranteeing freedoms of expression and of peaceful assembly.
Human rights must not be a casualty of political instability.
The international community must take action to hold the Nigerien authorities accountable. Governments and organizations worldwide must use diplomatic relationships to approach Nigerien authorities and support civil society in its fight for justice and human rights. The people of Niger deserve a government that respects their rights and freedoms, not one that silences them through fear and oppression.