Amnesty International is sounding the alarm following the enforced disappearance of Samira Sabou, a prominent Nigerien journalist and blogger. She was abducted from her Niamey home on September 30th by masked individuals who identified themselves as security service personnel. Ousmane Diallo, a Sahel researcher for Amnesty International’s regional office for West and Central Africa, has issued a strong statement regarding this troubling incident.
“We are gravely concerned by the enforced disappearance of Samira Sabou and unequivocally call upon the National Council for the Safeguard of the Homeland (CNSP) to immediately disclose her whereabouts and ensure her prompt and unconditional liberation. 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 right to liberty and a fair trial, simultaneously increasing her vulnerability to torture or other forms of ill-treatment.”
Ousmane Diallo, Sahel researcher, Amnesty International West and Central Africa regional office
Samira Sabou is a dedicated advocate for human rights and a vocal critic of corruption. Her enforced disappearance is highly likely linked to her fervent activism and recent public denunciations of arbitrary arrests carried out by the CNSP.
“Niger has ratified the International Convention for the Protection of All Persons from Enforced Disappearance. We earnestly urge the CNSP to uphold its human rights obligations under both national and international law, which includes prohibiting enforced disappearances and safeguarding the rights to freedom of expression and press freedom. Furthermore, we call for the respect and protection of human rights defenders, whose rights are guaranteed by Articles 4, 6, and 7 of the June 2022 law on the rights and duties of human rights defenders, as well as by international legal standards.”
Additional Information
Samira Sabou serves as a journalist, activist, and president of Niger’s bloggers’ association. On September 30, 2023, she was apprehended at her mother’s residence in Niamey by several masked men who presented themselves as members of the security forces. These individuals displayed their professional identification cards and insisted Samira accompany them into a vehicle, where she was blindfolded and transported to an undisclosed location, unknown to her family or legal counsel. Neither her family nor her lawyer has been able to communicate with her since her arrest or ascertain where she has been taken. The criminal investigation department of the Niamey police also claims to have no knowledge of her case.
Other recent infringements have targeted individuals merely exercising their right to freedom of expression.
On October 3rd, Samira Ibrahim, a social media user also known as “Precious Mimi,” received a six-month suspended prison sentence and a 300,000 CFA franc (approximately 479 USD) fine for “producing data likely to disturb public order.” Her charges stemmed from a Facebook post where she referenced Algeria’s refusal to recognize the new Nigerien government.
