Journalist Samira Sabou forcibly disappeared in Niamey
Amid growing concerns over freedom of expression in the Niger, the regional office of Amnesty International has issued an urgent call for the immediate release of journalist and blogger Samira Sabou. The case has drawn sharp criticism from human rights advocates, who view her disappearance as a direct threat to press freedom and civic activism.
Demands for transparency and accountability
Ousmane Diallo, Sahel researcher at Amnesty International’s regional office for West and Central Africa, has condemned the forced disappearance of Samira Sabou, who was taken from her mother’s home in Niamey on September 30 by masked individuals claiming to be security personnel.
We are deeply alarmed by the forced disappearance of Samira Sabou. We urge the National Council for the Salvation of the Homeland (CNSP) to immediately disclose her whereabouts and ensure her unconditional release. If authorities are unaware of her detention, they must act swiftly to investigate and locate her. Every passing day escalates the violation of her right to freedom, a fair trial, and exposes her to the risk of torture or other forms of abuse.
Ousmane Diallo, Sahel Researcher, Amnesty International
Her disappearance is seen as a stark violation of Niger’s obligations under international law, including the International Convention for the Protection of All Persons from Enforced Disappearance, which the country has ratified.
Link between activism and enforced disappearance
Samira Sabou is a prominent human rights advocate and blogger known for her outspoken criticism of government corruption and human rights abuses. Recent reports suggest her disappearance may be directly linked to her activism, particularly her public denunciation of arbitrary arrests under the CNSP.
Amnesty International has emphasized that Niger must uphold its legal and international commitments, including protecting freedom of expression and the rights of human rights defenders. These rights are enshrined in the June 2022 Law on the Rights and Duties of Human Rights Defenders and international human rights instruments.
Further details on the abduction
Samira Sabou, a journalist and president of the Niger Bloggers Association, was forcibly taken from her mother’s residence in Niamey. Masked individuals, claiming to be security officials, presented identification and insisted she accompany them. She was then blindfolded and driven to an undisclosed location. Neither her family nor her legal representative has had any contact with her since her abduction. The Niamey Criminal Investigation Division has also stated it has no knowledge of the case.
Broader crackdown on dissent
Samira Sabou’s case is not isolated. On October 3, social media activist Samira Ibrahim, known as Precious Mimi, was sentenced to six months of suspended imprisonment and fined 300,000 CFA francs (approximately $479 USD) for allegedly producing data likely to disturb public order. Her conviction stemmed from a Facebook post criticizing Algeria’s refusal to recognize Niger’s transitional government.
These incidents underscore a troubling pattern of repression against individuals exercising their right to free expression in Niger.
