GENERAL
TRANSITION TO CIVILIAN RULE
Following the military coup in Niger on 26th July 2023, which was significantly exacerbated by armed jihadist groups, the military authorities have continued to suppress human rights and civil society activism.
Amnesty International’s March 2025 report on Niger reveals a significant deterioration of civic space and widespread violations of civil and political rights since the July 2023 military coup. The report highlights severe restrictions on civic freedoms, with authorities systematically abusing the rule of law to suppress civil society. This repression manifests through unlawful detentions, enforced disappearances, and legal charges against activists and critics, often in violation of human rights and due process. The report also documents attacks on journalists and media organisations, including the BBC and Maison de la Presse, as well as ongoing persecution of pro-democracy activists and the suspension of political parties.
Meanwhile, the security situation in Niger continues to decline under the junta’s rule. Banibangou, a town located in the Tillabéri region at the intersection of Niger, Mali, and Burkina Faso, has become a haven for jihadist factions linked to Al-Qaeda and the Islamic State. For example, on 19th June 2025, Banibangou suffered a brutal attack by a group of several hundred mercenaries which saw the death of about 34 soldiers.
On 26th March 2025, the Niger transitional government unveiled a five-year plan for political transition to civilian rule, following recommendations from a national consultation held in February 2025. This plan designates General Abdourahamane Tiani as the de facto transitional head of state and permits him and other members of the military regime to participate in future elections. The decision stems from a report by the National Council, which incorporated recommendations from the February 2025 National Conference . This conference, attended by over 700 delegates but largely boycotted by political opposition and civil society groups, proposed the five-year transition period. Thereafter, President Tiani promulgated the Charte de la refondation, outlining the rules for the transition, effectively extending the transitional period by five years.
On 28th June 2025, Niger established a Transitional Advisory Council, a transitional parliament to replace the disbanded National Assembly for five years. This body, called the Consultative Council for Refoundation (CCR), is composed of 194 appointed members having a mandate to advise the military regime on national matters.
EXPRESSION
THREE JOURNALISTS ARRESTED, PROSECUTED FOR REPORTING ON NIGER-RUSSIA MILITARY COOPERATION RUPTURE
On 7th May 2025 in Agadez, law enforcement officers arrested three journalists from the private radio station Sahara FM in northern Niger: Hamid Mahmoud, the acting editor-in-chief, Mahaman Sani, a news presenter, and Massaouda Jaharou. The three journalists were arrested following their report on the alleged collapse in military cooperation between Niger and Russia. The journalists appeared in court on 9th May 2025, and were subsequently released by a judge, only to be re-arrested and kept in custody later that night. On 14th May 2024, the Agadez gendarmerie transferred the three journalists to the research brigade of the gendarmerie at Niamey state prison. On 13th June 2025, following a decision by the Military Court, two of the three journalists - Hamid Mahmoud and Mahaman Sani - were detained over allegations of plotting against state authorities. The two remanded journalists were transferred to Kollo prison, about 50 kilometres south of the capital, Niamey. The third journalist, Massaouda Jaharou was released on bail. The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) has called on Nigerien authorities to release the three Sahara FM radio journalists.
CRIMINALISATION OF DEFAMATION AND INSULTS VIA ELECTRONIC MEANS REINSTATED
On 7th June 2024, Niger’s military leader, Abdourahamane Tchiani, signed a new law amending the existing legislation on the repression of cybercrimes . This new law reinstates criminal penalties for those found guilty of offences related to digital communications. It imposes prison terms ranging from one to three years and fines up to five million CFA francs (approximately 8,645 US dollars) for acts of defamation and insults via electronic means. Additionally, it enforces stricter penalties of two to five years in prison and similar fines for spreading information that could disturb public order or compromise human dignity, irrespective of the reliability of the information. In April 2022, the then Council of Ministers adopted and revised the same law, decriminalising online defamation and insults, as previously reported by the CIVICUS monitor. Press freedom organisations, such as Reporters Without Borders (RSF) and the Network of Journalists for Human Rights (RJDH), have expressed concern, including fears that the amendments will lead to imprisonment and censorship of journalists. The Foundation for West Africa (MFWA) has called on the government to revoke the new law.
Niger’s Military Junta Suspends BBC
On 12th December 2024, Niger’s Minister of Communication, Raliou Sidi Mohamed, suspended the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) for three months. This decision was made following the junta’s allegations that the BBC had spread misinformation that threatens social stability and lowers the morale of troops engaged in fighting jihadist groups. The suspension follows BBC’s reports on jihadist terrorist attacks in the Tillaberi region on 10th December 2024 that reportedly killed soldiers and civilians. On 11th December 2024, the British broadcaster’s Hausa-language website reported that some gunmen had killed over 90 Nigerien soldiers and more than 40 civilians in two villages near the Burkina Faso border. Military authorities dismissed the allegations as unfounded and misleading, while simultaneously accusing the journalist of promoting terrorism through their communications with individuals deemed responsible for security threats in West Africa. The decision suspending the BBC affected the latter’s popular programmes, including Hausa-language broadcasts, relayed through local radio stations, that reach an estimated 2.4 million people in Niger. Despite the suspension, the BBC reaffirmed its commitment to providing reliable news to its audience in the Sahel without interference.
GOVERNMENT BACKTRACKS ON MEDIA CENSORSHIP AND DETENTION OF JOURNALIST
On 17th January 2025, Niger’s Minister of Communication, Raliou Sidi Mohamed, imposed a one-month suspension on the private TV station Canal 3 and suspended its editor-in-chief for three months. This action followed the airing of an annual barometer assessing the performance of government ministers. On 20th January 2025, the Minister of Communication revoked the sanctions against Canal 3. Its editor-in-chief, Seyni Amadou, who had been detained by police since 18th January 2025, was also released from custody. According to Seyni Amadou’s lawyer, the latter was accused of “disseminating information likely to disturb public order”, “undermining state security” and “discrediting the institutions of the Republic”.
ASSOCIATION
CIVIL SOCIETY ACTIVIST ARBITRARILY ARRESTED AND ILLEGALLY DETAINED WITHOUT TRIAL
On 3rd December 2024 in Niamey, alleged police officers, reportedly state agents, arbitrarily arrested and illegally detained Moussa Tchangari, a prominent civil society figure and Secretary General of the CSO Alternative espaces citoyens, during an incursion at his residence. On 3rd January 2025, the Niamey High Court charged Tchangari with criminal conspiracy in connection with a terrorist undertaking, undermining national defence and plotting against the authority of the State. Tchangari was transferred to Filingué prison, 170 km from Niamey, and at the time of writing continued to remain in pre-trial detention without trial. Tchangari’s critical stance, including his organisation’s 28th November meeting about the 10th October decree targeting certain citizens, his criticism of the 12th November decision to withdraw NGO licences, the 27th August establishment of a terrorism database, and his prior concerns about arbitrary arrests, amongst other factors, would have led to the charges against him by the current regime.
DISSOLUTION OF POLITICAL PARTIES
On 26th March 2025 in Niamey, the President of the Republic, Army General Abdourahamane Tiani, signed an Ordinance dissolving political parties. This decision was made following the national conference’s recommendation, which called for both the dissolution of political parties and the extension of the transition period.
Expulsion Of French Humanitarian Organisation ICRC
On 31st May 2025, the Nigerien government, through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, declared the expulsion of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) from the country, accusing the organisation of “collusion” with armed groups. The ICRC have refuted these allegations. In November 2024, the Nigerien authorities had criticised the European Union’s allocation of humanitarian aid to NGOs, including the ICRC, accusing it of unilateral actions that lacked transparency and cooperation. According to reports, the ICRC would have breached certain agreements signed with the host country, prompting its expulsion. On 5th June 2025, the ICRC officially departed and closed its offices in Niger. The Nigerien government has not provided any official explanation for the expulsion.
WITHDRAWAL OF OPERATING LICENCES OF ACTED AND APBE NGOs
On 12th November 2024, the Minister of the Interior, General Mohamed Toumba, signed orders number 01208 and 01209 withdrawing the operating licences of two NGOs: Agence d’Aide à la Coopération et au Développement (ACTED) and Action Pour le Bien-Être (APBE). While the official explanations for the suspension of ACTED and APBE remain unclear, reports point to issues related to national security and adherence to existing regulations, purportedly to improve governance and protect national interests.