Eighteen months after the military takeover on July 26, 2023, which ousted President Mohamed Bazoum, the CNSP military administration is significantly tightening its control over Niger. A new report from Amnesty International, released on March 18, documents a disturbing trend of forced arrests, arbitrary detentions, media suppression, and the banning of political parties. The document, titled “Niger. Menaced and muzzled: Human rights and civic space under pressure since the July 26 coup,” highlights severe violations of civil and political rights occurring between July 2023 and January 2025.
Critics of the regime and former government officials are facing increasing threats as the military junta restricts civic space, deepening societal divisions. Although the CNSP originally justified the coup by citing “security degradation” and “poor governance” while promising to uphold the rule of law, those commitments appear to have been abandoned.
Niger is part of a broader trend of instability in the Sahel, following similar military coups in Mali and Burkina Faso. In response to economic sanctions and pressure from ECOWAS, these three nations formed the Alliance of Sahel States (AES) in September 2023, subsequently severing ties with France and the European Union. More recently, on March 17, Niger, Burkina Faso, and Mali announced their withdrawal from the International Organisation of La Francophonie (OIF), which had also called for the release of Mohamed Bazoum.
The collapse of the rule of law
Upon seizing power, General Abdourahamane Tiani pledged to respect human rights and civil liberties in line with Niger’s international obligations. However, Amnesty International reports a vastly different reality. Marceau Sivieude, interim regional director for West and Central Africa at Amnesty International, stated that despite initial guarantees, human rights have been disregarded in both law and practice. The legislative framework has seen a significant regression.
The military authorities quickly suspended the 2010 Constitution and key institutions, including the National Human Rights Commission. With new structures yet to be established, the CNSP holds total executive and legislative power, governing primarily through restrictive decrees. One of the most contentious moves was the reinstatement of a 2019 cybercrime law in July 2024, which allows for the prosecution of citizens for defamation or spreading content deemed disruptive to public order—a vague definition used to target dissenters.
Furthermore, an August 2024 ordinance expanded the definition of terrorist offenses and introduced the blacklisting of individuals, which can lead to asset freezes and the stripping of nationality. Since October 2024, 21 individuals, including former ministers, have been affected. Hamid Ngadé, a former presidential advisor, expressed fear of becoming stateless, noting that the rule of law no longer exists in Niger. Ousmane Diallo, a researcher specializing in the Sahel, warned that these measures are being used to punish citizens for their political opinions. Consequently, institutional opposition has vanished as political parties remain suspended.
A climate of fear for civil society and media
The junta has expanded its repressive toolkit to silence both civil society and the press. Behind a facade of sovereignty, the regime has fostered an environment of fear and widespread self-censorship. Intelligence services, specifically the DGSE, have been accused of forced disappearances and prolonged arbitrary detentions. Activist Moussa Tchangari was violently arrested in December 2024 and held in secret before being charged with crimes including “apology for terrorism.” He now faces up to ten years in prison.
The government’s rhetoric has created a deep rift in society, labeling supporters as “patriots” and critics as “stateless.” This state of exception has made it nearly impossible for civil society organizations to operate, as people fear that any activity perceived as critical will lead to retaliation. Once a vibrant space for mobilization, the civil society landscape in Niamey is now fragmented and weakened.
Journalism under surveillance
The CNSP has also launched a direct assault on media freedom. The Maison de la Presse was suspended in early 2024 and replaced by a government-aligned committee. International broadcasters like RFI and France 24 were banned shortly after the coup, followed by the BBC in late 2024. Journalists themselves are frequently targeted; Ousmane Toudou and Soumana Maïga were arrested in April 2024 over social media posts and faced military tribunals despite being civilians. Blogger Samira Sabou also faced a forced disappearance before being prosecuted under cybercrime laws.
This relentless pressure has forced the press into silence. Sources are increasingly unwilling to speak on the record, and journalists must carefully weigh every word to avoid imprisonment. As Ousmane Diallo noted, Niger is at a critical crossroads. A recent national report recommended a five-year transition period that would allow current military leaders to run in future elections, a move that suggests the military power is becoming permanent and moving Niger further away from democratic norms.
