Press freedom violations: two journalists arrested, intimidation

Expression

Two journalists arrested

On 23rd April 2024, Niamey judicial police officers arrested Idrissa Soumana Maïga, editor of newspaper L’Enquêteur over the publication of an article on allegations that Russian agents had installed listening devices in government buildings in Niger. According to L’Enquêteur, Maïga did not make these allegations himself but asked questions based on a cited article in Le Figaro, where the allegations were made.

On 29th April 2024, Maïga was charged with ‘undermining national defence’ under the Criminal Code. If convicted, he could face up to ten years in prison. According to Maïga’s lawyer, Ousmane Ben Kafougou, who spoke with the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ), judicial authorities justified Maïga’s pre-trial detention, prohibited under an ordinance on press freedom, by saying that “the facts are serious enough and that he should be detained in prison for the purposes of the investigation.”

In another incident, on 13th April 2024, Radio Anfani journalist and former communications advisor for ousted president Mohamed Bazoum, Ousmane Toudou, was arrested. Although the reasons for his arrest are unclear, some observers believe it might be in relation to his criticism. Following the military coup in July 2023, Toudou called on all democrats to oppose the military takeover in a social media post which was shared widely.

Intimidation of journalist

According to Amnesty International, correspondent for BBC Hausa language radio, Tchima Illa Issoufou was threatened and accused of trying to ‘destabilise the country’ after reporting on the security situation in the region of Tillabéri. She is reportedly wanted by security forces and targeted on social media by supporters of the military authorities, prompting her to flee the country.

Peaceful Assembly

Protest to demand the departure of US military troops

On 21st April 2024, hundreds of people demonstrated in Agadez, north of Niger, to demand the immediate departure of US military troops, reportedly at the call of a collective of 24 associations who support the military junta. The protest came two days after US administration officials announced the withdrawal of more than 1,000 US military officers from Niger. In March 2024, Niger’s military authorities had unilaterally broken off the defence agreement with the US “with immediate effect”.

Previously, on 13th April 2024, thousands of people protested before the National Assembly in Niamey to demand an end to the military presence of the US in Niger. The protest was reportedly organised by Synergie, a collective regrouping of a dozen of associations supporting the military junta.