Amnesty international demands Niger reveal whereabouts of disappeared journalist samira sabou

Amnesty International has voiced deep alarm following the enforced disappearance of Samira Sabou, a prominent Nigerien journalist and blogger. She was reportedly abducted from her home on September 30 by masked individuals identifying themselves as security personnel. Ousmane Diallo, a Sahel researcher with Amnesty International’s regional office for West and Central Africa, shared the organization’s urgent concerns:

“We are profoundly troubled by the enforced disappearance of Samira Sabou and insist that the National Council for the Safeguard of the Homeland (CNSP) immediately disclose her whereabouts and ensure her swift, unconditional release. Should the authorities genuinely be unaware of her detention location, they must launch an immediate investigation to ascertain it. Each passing day constitutes a further infringement on Samira Sabou’s fundamental rights to liberty and a fair process, while also exposing her to the grave risk of torture or other forms of ill-treatment.”

Ousmane Diallo, Sahel Researcher, Amnesty International’s Regional Office for West and Central Africa

Niger journalist Samira Sabou is widely known as a dedicated advocate for human rights and an outspoken critic of corruption. It is highly probable that her enforced disappearance is directly linked to her fervent activism and her recent public condemnations of arbitrary arrests carried out by the CNSP.

“Niger is a signatory to the International Convention for the Protection of All Persons from Enforced Disappearance. We urgently implore the CNSP to uphold its human rights commitments under both national and international law. This includes adhering to the prohibition of enforced disappearances and safeguarding the rights to freedom of expression and press freedom. Furthermore, we call upon them to respect and protect human rights defenders, whose rights are enshrined in Articles 4, 6, and 7 of the June 2022 law pertaining to the rights and duties of human rights defenders, as well as under international legal frameworks.”

Additional context on Samira Sabou’s case

Samira Sabou holds multiple roles as a journalist, activist, and president of Niger’s bloggers’ association. On September 30, 2023, she was taken from her mother’s residence in Niamey by several masked men. These individuals reportedly displayed professional identification, identifying themselves as members of the security forces. They compelled Samira to accompany them into a vehicle, where she was then blindfolded and transported to an undisclosed location, unknown to both her family and legal counsel. Since her apprehension, neither her family nor her attorney has been able to communicate with her or ascertain her whereabouts. Furthermore, the Niamey police criminal investigation department has stated it possesses no information regarding this incident.

This incident is not isolated, as other recent violations have targeted individuals merely exercising their fundamental right to freedom of expression.

For instance, on October 3, Samira Ibrahim, a social media personality also known as “Precious Mimi,” received a six-month suspended prison sentence and was fined 300,000 CFA francs (approximately 479 USD). Her conviction stemmed from “producing data likely to disturb public order,” specifically a Facebook post where she commented on Algeria’s non-recognition of Niger’s current government.