Niger’s Military Junta Tightens Its Authoritarian Grip on Power

Niger’s military junta has solidified its authoritarian rule since the July 2023 coup, intensifying the repression of civil liberties and dissent. Amnesty International’s report details increased human rights abuses, including arbitrary detentions and the suppression of critical voices. The junta governs through decrees, enforcing severe restrictions on political expression and civil society, which has led to a climate of fear and self-censorship among citizens.

Niger’s military junta has intensified its control since the coup on July 26, 2023, leading to a significant erosion of civil liberties and increasing global isolation. The regime’s tactics encompass silencing dissent, detaining political opponents, and ruling through decrees, exacerbating human rights violations and the repression of civil society voices. Amnesty International’s recent report highlights these developments, citing a surge in arbitrary detentions and enforced disappearances.

Marceau Sivieude, the acting regional director for West and Central Africa at Amnesty International, stated that the junta employs authoritarian practices under the guise of ‘state security’ to suppress critical voices. Freedoms related to speech, association, and information have been severely undermined, and the routine nature of arbitrary detentions indicates the growing disregard for judicial processes.

A regional expert emphasized that the junta’s paranoia has led to immediate and violent suppression of any potential opposition. Although the previous regime had already curtailed press freedom, the current junta exhibits an even more pronounced siege mentality. They perceive threats from internal and external adversaries, notably towards supporters of ousted President Mohamed Bazoum, who remains detained with his wife, despite a ruling by the Economic Community of West African States Court calling for their release.

Bazoum, charged with high treason nearly a year after his detention, exemplifies the junta’s repressive environment. Reports indicate that the junta’s leader, Abdourahamane Tiani, restricts his movements out of fear of being overthrown. Additionally, seven former ministers advocating for Bazoum’s release continue to be unlawfully detained despite judicial orders for their freedom.

The junta’s governance has transitioned to a system reliant on decrees, effectively centralizing executive, legislative, and judicial powers within its ruling body. Political parties have been banned, allowing military leaders to act unilaterally. Further, a decree targeting individuals accused of terrorism or undermining national interests has been established, creating ambiguity that enables the government to target dissenters.

This crackdown has had a chilling effect on civil society; journalists and human rights advocates are increasingly cautious about voicing criticism, fearing imprisonment. Self-censorship has become commonplace among citizens, driven by the risk of retaliation against those who challenge the junta’s authority. A Nigerien civil society member noted that criticizing the government now guarantees arrest, a sentiment echoed by reports of diminished media freedom in the aftermath of the coup.

In conclusion, Niger’s ruling junta, following the coup in July 2023, has significantly increased its authoritarian grip by silencing dissent, arbitrarily detaining opponents, and governing by decree. The erosion of civil liberties, combined with the junta’s paranoia and disregard for legal rulings, has created a repressive environment where fear prevails. The crackdown on civil society and media illustrates a shrinking space for free expression, marking a troubling descent into authoritarianism.

Original Source: international.la-croix.com