Niger: Renowned Journalist Samira Sabou Taken into Custody For Unknown Reasons
The journalist was taken by authorities, detained and unheard from for one week
Location: Niger, Niamey
Date: September 30, 2023*Update: October 10, 2023
After a week of uncertainty, authorities reveal the whereabouts of Samira Sabou, who was taken into custody on September 30, 2023. Since October 7, the journalist has been questioned at the Niamey judicial police. It is unknown why she is being detained. This is the latest in increasing press violations in Niger since July’s coup d’etat. The Coalition For Women In Journalism demands her immediate release.
Samira Sabou, a prominent journalist who exposed abuse of power and human rights violations during the presidencies of Mahamadou Issoufou and Mohamed Bazoum, is facing new pressures and threats under the new military regime that assumed power through a coup in July.
Sabou was taken into custody by authorities in Niamey on September 30, 2023. Her husband, Abdoul Kader Nouhou, says four plainclothes men arrived at their home, placed a hood over Sabou’s head, and took her to an unmarked vehicle. They confiscated her phone before leaving. One of the men showed Nouhou a card but refused to reveal his name. Nouhou did not know where Sabou was taken to, and the Niamey judicial police denied arresting her.
After being held for eight days incommunicado at the premises of Niger's external security services, the DGDSE, RSF announced that Sabou had been located on October 9, 2023.
"We are relieved that Samira Sabou has finally appeared at the Niamey judicial police after eight days of being held without charge. It is also positive that she was able to have legal representation during the questioning," said Sadibou Marong, director of RSF's sub-Saharan Africa desk.
It is unclear what charges Sabou is facing.
Last month, Sabou spoke out against the military regime for attempting to intimidate and silence her reporting.
"I received a phone call from a soldier, whose rank or position I will not disclose,” wrote Sabou. “Among other things, he questioned why I shared the message from former President Bazoum Mohamed on my page this morning. According to him, I should not have done so since I participated in the meeting between the military regime and civil society. Such clannish behavior and denial of ethical practices are exactly what we have been denouncing for the past thirteen years."
Sabou has been targeted for her critical reporting during previous regimes. In 2020, the editor of the Niger Search news website was arrested and detained while pregnant for "defamatory comments," a move that generated national and international outrage. She was acquitted of any offenses.
On January 3, 2022, she and investigative journalist Moussa Aksar, the publishing director of the newspaper "L'Evènement," were convicted for sharing an article by experts focusing on combating transnational crime. The court criticized Sabou for discussing the piece in a social media post.
Sabou’s detention highlights challenges Niger’s media workers have faced since July’s coup. The coup led to a surge in anti-Western sentiment as deposed President Mohamed Bazoum was a strong ally of the West, particularly its former colonizer, France. Many Nigeriens feel that France has exploited their country's resources and exacerbated poverty.
Tensions have resulted in attacks on several Niger journalists and the blocking of French news channels. Foreign journalists have also reported a hostile environment, including threats and intimidation while covering pro-junta demonstrations.
The Coalition For Women In Journalism is alarmed by the detention of Samira Sabou. The journalist is known for exposing the corruption of former presidents and denouncing the wrongdoings of the current military leadership. Her detention by junta authorities is deeply worrying and suggests a lack of respect for critical voices under the new regime. We demand that authorities release her immediately. We also urge Gen. Abdourahamane Tiani to ensure press freedom is respected under his leadership and demand an end to the harassment of journalists.
The Coalition For Women In Journalism is a global organization of support for women journalists. The CFWIJ pioneered mentorship for mid-career women journalists across several countries around the world and is the first organization to focus on the status of free press for women journalists. We thoroughly document cases of any form of abuse against women in any part of the globe. Our system of individuals and organizations brings together the experience and mentorship necessary to help female career journalists navigate the industry. Our goal is to help develop a strong mechanism where women journalists can work safely and thrive.
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