Press freedom in Niger is under severe threat as transitional authorities systematically intimidate and detain journalists reporting on the country’s conflict and security issues, Amnesty International has warned.
Since the 26 July 2023 coup, when presidential guard commander Abdourahamane Tchiani deposed President Mohamed Bazoum and declared himself head of the National Council for the Safeguarding of the Homeland—leading the current transition—journalists have faced growing restrictions. Many now self-censor out of fear of harassment, arrest, or worse. The crackdown comes at a critical time when accurate reporting on the conflict and government response is most needed.
«The authorities’ blatant disregard for freedom of expression and press freedom—and for the work of journalists—has intensified just when people need reliable information about the crisis and how the transitional government is addressing it,» said Samira Daoud, Amnesty International’s Regional Director for West and Central Africa. «We urge the Nigerien authorities to immediately and unconditionally release all journalists imprisoned for exercising their right to free speech or covering sensitive public interest stories. They must also ensure that journalists can work without fear of harassment, intimidation, arrest, or detention.»
On 24 April 2024, the editor-in-chief of L’Enquêteur, Soumana Maiga, was arrested following a report alleging Russian agents had installed surveillance equipment in state buildings. He faces charges of «undermining national defence» and could be sentenced to up to 10 years in prison if convicted.
The transitional authorities must fulfill their legal duty to respect, protect, promote, and realize the human rights of all people in Niger.
Samira Daoud, Regional Director, Amnesty International West and Central Africa
Days earlier, on 13 April 2024, Ousmane Toudou, a journalist and former communications advisor to the ousted president, was also detained. After the July 2023 coup, he had publicly called on democrats to oppose the military takeover in a widely shared social media post. Despite the legal 4-day detention limit having expired, he has not been brought before a judge and remains in custody. His trial is expected to take place in a military court—despite international law requiring such courts to handle only military offenses.
Journalists face self-censorship amid rising threats
Tchima Illa Issoufou, a BBC Hausa correspondent, was threatened and accused of «destabilizing Niger» after reporting on the security situation in Tillabéri—a region in western Niger heavily affected by conflict. She has since gone into exile after becoming a target of both security forces and pro-regime supporters online, who branded her as «foreign-influenced.» Her reporting also led to the detention of civil society figure Ali Tera, who was interviewed for the piece. He was arrested on 26 April 2024 and held in Niamey’s civil prison starting 29 April.
«The situation for journalists in Niger has become extremely difficult,» said a media director from Niamey, speaking on condition of anonymity. «The very principles of press freedom are under attack by the new authorities. Many of us, including myself, now carefully choose our words and tone to stay safe.»
In January 2024, the Maison de la Presse, an association uniting private and public media outlets, was suspended by transitional authorities and replaced with an ad hoc committee led by the Interior Ministry’s secretary-general.
«The rights to freedom of expression, access to information, and press freedom are protected under national law and international human rights treaties to which Niger is a party—including the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights,» Daoud noted. «The transitional government must urgently live up to its legal obligations and uphold these rights for everyone in the country.»