Eighteen months after the military takeover on 26 July 2023 that ousted elected President Mohamed Bazoum, the CNSP military administration is tightening its control over Niger. A recent investigation by Amnesty International, published on 18 March, documents a series of human rights violations including arbitrary arrests, forced detentions, and the suppression of political parties and media outlets. The report, titled “Niger. Menaced and muzzled: Human rights and civic space under pressure since the coup d’état of 26 July,” highlights a concerning trend of civil and political rights infringements occurring between July 2023 and January 2025. While the CNSP originally justified its actions by citing security concerns and poor governance, promising to uphold the rule of law, the current reality suggests those commitments have been abandoned.

The Sahel region has faced a wave of military coups, with similar events in Mali (2020 and 2021) and Burkina Faso (2022). Facing economic sanctions and pressure from ECOWAS, these three nations established the Alliance of Sahel States (AES) in September 2023, subsequently distancing themselves from France and the European Union. In a further move toward regional isolation, Niger, Burkina Faso, and Mali announced their departure from the International Organisation of La Francophonie (OIF) on 17 March, following the organisation’s calls for the release of Mohamed Bazoum.

The decline of the rule of law

Upon taking power, General Abdourahamane Tiani vowed to respect international human rights standards. However, Amnesty International reports that these promises have not been kept. Marceau Sivieude, an acting regional director for the NGO, states that the legal framework in Niger has significantly regressed. The 2010 Constitution and the National Human Rights Commission were suspended immediately, concentrating all legislative and executive authority within the CNSP. The country is now largely governed by restrictive decrees.

Of particular concern is the revival of the 2019 cybercrime law, which has been used since July 2024 to prosecute individuals for defamation or content deemed a threat to public order. Even more severe is a 2024 decree that broadens the definition of terrorism, allowing the state to freeze assets and strip individuals of their nationality. Since October 2024, 21 people, including former members of the Bazoum administration, have been targeted by this measure. Hamid Ngadé, a former presidential advisor, expressed fear of becoming stateless, noting the lack of legal recourse in the current environment. This legal shift effectively silences those with opposing views, as noted by researcher Ousmane Diallo.

Pressure on civil society and independent media

The military junta has expanded its toolkit for repression, creating a climate of pervasive fear and self-censorship. Intelligence agencies have been linked to enforced disappearances and prolonged detentions without trial. For instance, civil society leader Moussa Tchangari was arrested in December 2024 and charged with state security offences, facing a potential ten-year sentence. The regime’s rhetoric often divides the population into “patriots” who support the junta and “traitors” who question it, further fragmenting Nigerien society.

A media landscape under siege

Freedom of the press has been a direct target of the CNSP. The national Press House was suspended in early 2024 and replaced by a government-controlled body. International outlets such as RFI, France 24, and the BBC have faced suspensions. Journalists like Soumana Maïga and Ousmane Toudou have been arrested for social media posts, with some facing proceedings in military courts despite being civilians. Digital activists, including Samira Sabou, have also faced judicial harassment under cybercrime legislation.

This environment has forced many journalists to adopt self-censorship to avoid imprisonment. As the country faces a critical juncture, a recent proposal for a five-year transition period suggests that the military leadership may seek to prolong its rule and participate in future elections, further delaying a return to democratic governance and the protection of fundamental rights.