Military authorities tighten grip amid democratic backsliding

In a fresh assessment, Human Rights Watch highlights a dramatic erosion of fundamental freedoms in Niger since General Abdourahamane Tiani’s administration consolidated power. The organization documents a systematic dismantling of democratic checks and balances, pointing to the forced dissolution of opposition parties and independent labor unions, the shuttering of civil society organizations, and the arbitrary detention of journalists. Additionally, the junta has intensified legal persecution by criminalizing consensual same-sex relationships—a move that has drawn international condemnation.

Political uncertainty and security vacuum deepen crisis

The watchdog also condemns the indefinite postponement of elections, with authorities now signaling a potential five-year extension of military rule. This prolonged transition has coincided with a worsening security crisis, as Niger grapples with over a decade of jihadist insurgencies. Reports of indiscriminate counterterrorism operations have raised alarms, including a January drone strike that reportedly killed at least 17 civilians at a bustling market. Compounding these concerns, Niger’s withdrawal from the International Criminal Court has raised fears that perpetrators of human rights abuses may evade accountability entirely.