Niger promulgates new law criminalising consensual same-sex relations; journalist reported missing

Introduction

This update covers civic space developments in Niger from May to October 2026, and includes the following:

• Municipal authorities suspend CNTN-Dignité constitutional congress.
• Niger promulgates new criminal code criminalising consensual same-sex relations and marriage.
• UN Working Group on Arbitrary Detention condemns the prolonged detention of Moussa Tchangari.
• Lawyer prosecuted following social media post.
• Journalist reported missing.
• Journalist released.
• Protest to express support to the military government following the failed mutiny.

Context

Five individuals provisionally stripped of Nigerien nationality

On 17th September 2026 in Niamey, General Abdourahamane Tiani, President of the Republic of Niger, signed a decree provisionally revoking the nationality of five individuals. These individuals included Amadou (also known as Ange Barou Chekaraou); Ouhoumoudou Mahamadou, and former Prime Minister under deposed President Mohamed Bazoum; Oumarou Moussa Ibrahim; Ousmane Abdoul Moumouni; and Boubacar Seyni Souley.

The official government statement indicated that the five individuals were designated for stripping of nationality based on accusations including diffusion of data intended to disturb public order, intelligence with foreign powers, defamation through electronic communication means, participation in an enterprise to demoralise the army and nation with intent to harm national defence and social cohesion, threats to state security, and activities susceptible to perturb peace and public security.

Sources indicate that government authorities did not provide details regarding judicial procedures initiated, material evidence retained, or possible avenues of recourse available to the five individuals. However, the affected individuals remain presumed innocent of the infractions attributed to them until a competent court definitively establishes their culpability. According to Radio France Internationale (RFI), since the Nigerien authorities created a database in 2024 of individuals involved in terrorist acts or activities undermining the nation’s interests, more than 25 people have been stripped of their Nigerien nationality.

Failed mutiny

On the night of 28th August 2026, a mutiny broke out in Niamey, when a group of soldiers attacked strategic locations targeting the presidency, the airport and the state broadcaster. The army retook control on 29th August 2026, reportedly with the assistance of Africa Corps, a Russia government-controlled paramilitary group.

A wave of arrests followed the mutiny, targeting presumed implicated military officers and a few political figures, including former Minister Kalla Moutari.

Niger withdraws from the ICC

On 18th June 2026, Niger officially submitted its instrument of withdrawal from the International Criminal Court (ICC), completing a process announced nine months earlier when the country, alongside Mali and Burkina Faso, declared their joint intention to leave the Court. According to reports, Niger characterised the ICC as an “instrument of neo-colonialist repression” in their September 2025 statement, asserting their intention to establish “Indigenous mechanisms for the consolidation of peace and justice” instead. The withdrawal will take effect on 18th June 2027, one year after the date of the notification. Meanwhile, Niger will continue to honour its obligations to the Court until that date. This action by Niger follows the country’s withdrawal from the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) in 2025 and its participation in establishing the Alliance of Sahel States (AES) with Mali and Burkina Faso.

ASSOCIATION

Municipal authorities suspend CNTN-Dignité constitutional congress over missing registration documentation

On 12th August 2026 in Niamey, the municipal authorities issued an administrative directive prohibiting the planned constitutional congress of the Confédération nationale des travailleurs du Niger-Dignité (CNTN-Dignité). This association, which includes approximately 40 to 46 affiliated labour unions, had intended to hold the congress on 13th and 14th August 2026 at the Syndicat national des agents de l’information (SNAI) headquarters, a trade union in Niger representing information and media sector workers. According to reports, the event was banned due to the lack of a “récépissé” (registration receipt) from the CNTN-Dignité. The municipal authorities were notified of the event on 8th April 2026. Despite the prohibition, CNTN-Dignité remains determined to meet the administrative criteria required to conduct their congress, although there is still uncertainty about when the necessary documents will be obtained and if the administrative impasse will be resolved through standard procedures.

UN Working Group on Arbitrary Detention condemns the prolonged detention of Moussa Tchangari

The United Nations Working Group on Arbitrary Detention, in a report adopted on 23rd March 2026, and made public on 23rd June 2026, condemned the prolonged and arbitrary detention of Moussa Tchangari, a civil society activist and Secretary General of Alternative Espaces Citoyens, a civil society group. The UN Working Group declared Tchangari’s detention “arbitrary,” citing a lack of legal basis and violations of international human rights instruments. The Working Group requalified his detention as a forced disappearance and called upon Nigerien authorities to respect international law. According to the Working Group, Tchangari’s arrest occurred without an arrest warrant and without his relatives being informed of the reasons for his detention. Furthermore, Tchangari was detained for two days at an undisclosed location during which he was unable to see his lawyers or family. The Working Group determined that the grave criminal charges levelled against Tchangari cannot be used to justify the deprivation of his liberty because he is a fierce critic of the military government.

As previously reported by the CIVICUS Monitor, suspected government agents arbitrarily arrested Tchangari on 3rd December 2024, in Niamey, and on 3rd January 2025, Tchangari was brought before the investigating judge of the Court of First Instance and placed in pre-trial detention after being charged on five counts: glorification of terrorism, conspiracy to commit a terrorist act, undermining state security, undermining national defence, and conspiracy. Tchangari was transferred to Filingué prison, located in the Tilaberi region of Niger, where he remained in pre-trial detention without trial. As of 12th August 2026, Tchangari had been detained for 616 days at Filingué Prison.

Niger promulgates new criminal code criminalising consensual same-sex relations

On 16th February 2026, Niger promulgated a new penal code through Ordonnance n° 2026-09 criminalising consensual same-sex relations and same-sex marriage. The law came into effect on 11th June 2026. Specifically, articles 390 to 393 of the new penal code prescribe sentences of five to ten years’ imprisonment and fines of up to 100 million CFA Francs (approximately USD 180,000) for same-sex sexual relations, while same-sex marriage is punishable by ten to 20 years of imprisonment. Organisations and individuals operating for or supporting LGBTQI purposes face fines ranging from 50 million to 500 million CFA Francs (approximately USD90,000 to USD900,000).

According to reports, up to 40 people and at least 16 people, including senior customs and police officials as well as several civilians, were arrested in early July 2026 following the introduction of the new legislation criminalising same-sex relations.

Niger is the latest African country adopting draconian anti-LGBTQI+ laws or bills. Recently, or in the past few years, Senegal, Ghana, Burkina Faso, Uganda and Mali have adopted such laws.

Expression

Lawyer prosecuted following social media post

On 6th October 2026 in Niamey, Lawyer Abdourahamane Lirwana, a human rights activist, appeared before the Niamey High Court of First Instance for the second time, two weeks after being placed in pre-trial detention at the Niamey remand center, on 22nd September 2026. Lirwana is being prosecuted for “dissemination of data likely to disturb public order” under the cybercrime law, following social media posts in which he mentioned divisions within the Nigerien army. The public prosecutor requested a sentence of five years’ in prison and a fine of five million CFA Francs (approximately 8,500 USD). Assisted by several lawyers, Lirwana petitioned the State Court on 12th October 2026, to request the transfer of the case, arguing that there was no guarantee of a fair trial; this petition was denied and the local Court retained the case. The case was taken under advisement, with a decision expected the following Tuesday. In a statement published a few days before the hearing, the International Federation for Human Rights (FIDH) denounced an arbitrary detention and called for the immediate release of Me Lirwana.

Journalist reported missing

On 31st August 2026, prominent Nigerien journalist Moussa Kaka, director-general of Radio Télévision Saraounia (RTS) and former RFI correspondent, was reported missing in Niamey after he left his office at approximately 7 p.m. to return home. Kaka’s disappearance occurred just days after a failed mutiny attempt against Niger’s military junta on 29th August 2026 (see introduction).

Kaka is known as a prominent critic of Niger’s military junta. On 30th October 2025, Kaka was arrested along with five other journalists after they announced via social media a news briefing about a solidarity fund the government had created to support state security force operations. All six journalists were charged with “complicity in distributing documents likely to disturb public order” under Niger’s cybercrime law. In November 2025, Kaka and some of the others arrested journalists were released on bail.

Reporters Without Borders (RSF) expressed concern about Kaka’s disappearance, with Sadibou Marong, Director of RSF Sub-Saharan Africa, stating:

In September 2026, RSF reported that the Nigerien Minister of Justice had stated that the journalist was alive and held by the authorities.

Journalist released

On 28th August 2026, Nigerien journalist Ibro Chaibou, editor-in-chief of the private television channel Saraounia, was released after nearly ten months in detention at Kollo Civil Prison. As previously reported by the CIVICUS Monitor, Chaibou, alongside five other journalists and a driver were arrested on 30th October 2025 in Niamey after an official invitation to a government press briefing by Niger’s Solidarity Fund for the Safeguarding of the Homeland was leaked and spread widely on social media. After a High Court hearing on 3rd November 2025, Chaibou and two other journalists faced charges of “complicity in disseminating a document likely to disturb public order,” under Niger’s Cybercrime Law.

PEACEFUL ASSEMBLY

Protest to express support to the military government following the failed mutiny

On 2nd September 2026 in Niamey, thousands of people gathered to express support for General Abdourahamane Tiani, the head of Niger’s military regime, a few days after a military mutiny on 29th August 2026 that was thwarted in Niamey, the capital city (see introduction).