Press freedom violations: two journalists arrested, intimidation

Expression

Two journalists arrested

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

On April 29, 2024, Maïga was charged with “undermining national defense” under the Penal Code. If convicted, he faces 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 pretrial detention, prohibited by the press freedom ordinance. , asserting that “the facts are serious enough and that he should be detained in prison for the purposes of the investigation.

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

Intimidation of a journalist

According to Amnesty International, BBC radio correspondent in the Hausa language, Tchima Illa Issoufou was threatened and accused of attempting to “destabilize the country” after covering the security situation in the Tillabéri region. 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

Demonstration to demand the departure of American military troops

On April 21, 2024, hundreds of people demonstrated in Agadez, northern Niger, to demand the immediate departure of American military troops, apparently at the call of a collective of 24 associations supporting the military junta. The protest came two days after U.S. administration officials announced the withdrawal of more than 1,000 U.S. military officers from Niger. In March 2024, Niger's military authorities unilaterally broke the defense agreement with the United States “with immediate effect”.

Previously, on April 13, 2024, thousands of people demonstrated in front of the National Assembly in Niamey to demand an end to the American military presence in Niger. The demonstration was allegedly organized by Synergie, a collective bringing together a dozen associations supporting the military junta.