Media association Maison de la Presse suspended until further notice

General

Niger leaves regional bloc ECOWAS, together with Mali and Burkina Faso

On 28th January 2024, the military juntas of Niger, Burkina Faso and Mali announced they will leave the regional economic and political bloc ECOWAS (Economic Community of West African States), which was followed by formal notices to ECOWAS. In a joint statement, the military transitional authorities accused ECOWAS of being “under the influence of foreign powers”, of betraying their founding principles, of failing to support their fight against “terrorism and insecurity”, while imposing “illegal, illegitimate, inhumane and irresponsible sanctions” following the military coups in the three countries.

ECOWAS has been urging the military juntas to return to civilian rule while imposing sanctions.

Media association Maison de la Presse suspended until further notice

In a decree dated 29th January 2024, the Ministry of the Interior, Public Security and Administration, Mohamed Toumba, suspended the authorisation of independent media association Maison de la Presse (House of the Press), which unites 32 socio-professional media associations, to operate until further notice. Prior to the suspension order, authorities had already in November 2023 prohibited the association’s General Assembly from electing a new Board of Directors.

While the decree does not outline the specific grounds for the suspension, it announces the creation of a new ad hoc management committee headed by the Secretary General of the Ministry of Interior to oversee the association.

Since the military coup of 26th July 2023, the Maison de la Presse, which promotes freedom of expression and information, has issued several statements to demand the military transitional authorities respect the freedoms of media and expression in Niger.

As reported previously on the Monitor, violations of the freedom of expression have escalated following the military coup, with the transitional military authorities targeting critical media, journalists and peaceful dissent.

Peaceful Assembly

Civil society protest banned

On 23rd November 2023, local authorities in Niamey, Niger’s capital, banned a civil society protest planned for 25th November 2023, for security reasons and risks of infiltration and disturbing public order. The pro-democracy protest, organised by the Forum pour une Citoyenneté Responsible (Forum for a Responsible Citizenry), also aimed at demanding the liberation of former President Bazoum, who was overthrown in the military coup of 26th July 2023.