Latest news with #AbdourahamaneTchiani
Al Etihad
03-08-2025
- Politics
- Al Etihad
UAE President, VPs congratulate President of Niger on Independence Day
3 Aug 2025 09:32 ABU DHABI (WAM)UAE President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan has sent a message of congratulations to General Abdourahamane Tchiani, President of the Republic of Niger, on the occasion of his country's Independence Day. His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President, Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, and His Highness Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Vice President, Deputy Prime Minister of the UAE and Chairman of the Presidential Court, sent similar congratulatory messages to General Tchiani, and Prime Minister Ali Mahamane Lamine Zeine.
News24
29-07-2025
- Politics
- News24
What has changed in Niger two years after the coup?
On 26 July 2023, Niger was thrown into political turmoil. A coup d'etat was announced on state television just hours after members of the presidential guard detained democratically elected President Mohamed Bazoum. The coup was led by the head of the presidential guard, General Abdourahamane Tchiani, with support from elements of the nation's armed forces. When he took power two years ago, Tchiani justified the coup by citing growing insecurity, harsh economic conditions and what he described as excessive influence from Western powers, particularly the country's former colonial ruler, France. Niger has experienced multiple military takeovers in the past, but this time was different: Many citizens took to the streets to show their support for the military leaders. But in the two years that followed, some analysts say little has changed for the better. 'In some cases, the situation has worsened,' Mutaru Mumuni Muqthar, executive director of the West African Centre for Counter Extremism, told DW. Turkish Red Crescent / Handout/Anadolu via Getty Images With the events of 26 July, Niger joined the ranks of neighbouring Mali and Burkina Faso, which were already under military rule. In early 2024, Niger, along with Mali and Burkina Faso, announced its withdrawal from the Economic Community of West African States, or ECOWAS. The move marked a major shift in the region, deepening the divide between the military-led governments and the bloc pushing for a return to civilian rule. Job losses in the nonprofit sector Niger's current leadership has forced many nongovernmental organisations, including the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) - which had been assisting more than two million people affected by armed conflict - to shut down operations. For some Nigeriens, especially those who lost their jobs following the leadership change, life has become more difficult. 'Right now, I'm suffering. It's been a year since we stopped,' said Souley, 35, who lost his job as a nutrition researcher at a local NGO after the coup, in an interview with DW. Mahamane, 32, also lost his position as an assistant coordinator at an NGO based in Tillaberi. 'Right after the coup, funds weren't coming in regularly, and our activities were delayed,' he said. Finally, they decided to stop funding altogether. Mahamane 'There is a very constricted space for civil society or NGO work, so there are a lot of job losses in that space,' said Muqthar from the West African Centre for Counter Extremism. Niger already struggles with high levels of youth unemployment. In 2023, the International Labor Organisation estimated that about 23% of Nigeriens between the ages of 15 and 29 were unemployed - one of the highest youth unemployment rates in Africa. Human rights abuses continue Rights groups, including Human Rights Watch and Amnesty International, have accused the junta of cracking down on freedom of the press and expression in the media and civil society. Ilaria Allegrozzi, a senior Sahel researcher at Human Rights Watch, said freedom of expression has been deteriorating in the country since the military leaders took charge. 'Since the coup d'etat two years ago, authorities have shown a high level of intolerance. They have cracked down on the opposition, the media and civil society, and they are clearly rejecting any transition back to civilian democratic rule,' Allegrozzi told DW. 'They have arbitrarily detained former president Mohamed Bazoum and his wife for two years. They have also arbitrarily arrested and detained dozens of other officials from the ousted government - people close to the former president, including ministers. And they have failed to grant them due process and fair trial rights,' she said. In its 2025 State of the World's Human Rights report, Amnesty International wrote that Niger has routinely violated 'human rights to information and freedom of expression'. Although about 50 detainees were released from prison in April, the organisation pointed out that 'several others still languish behind bars on politically motivated charges.' In January 2024, the Press House (Maison de la Presse) - an umbrella group of 32 media organisations - was suspended and replaced by an ad hoc committee headed by the secretary-general of the Interior Ministry, according to Amnesty International. Is a return to civilian rule still possible? In March, the leader of Niger's military government, General Tchiani, was sworn in for a five-year term under a new charter that replaced the country's constitution. For many, it signalled that a return to civilian democratic rule is unlikely to happen anytime soon. 'In the beginning, we were talking about three years; now we are talking about five years. It's an indication that this regime is seeking to stay much longer than expected. And it is my estimation that they are probably going to stay much longer than even five years,' said Muqthar. Efforts by ECOWAS to help Niger, Burkina Faso and Mali transition back to civilian rule have so far failed.
Business Insider
08-06-2025
- Politics
- Business Insider
Red Cross suspends aid work in Niger after military regime orders office closures
The decision to halt Red Cross operations in the military-led African nation came after Nigerien authorities accused the organization of engaging with armed groups in the country. Niger's junta leader, Abdourahamane Tchiani, stated during a May interview on state television that the ICRC had been expelled early this year. According to him, the decision followed claims that the organization had held meetings and collaborated with I slamist insurgent leaders. These accusations have not been substantiated publicly with evidence. In response, the ICRC has firmly denied any wrongdoing. In a statement issued on Thursday, the organization explained that as part of its neutral humanitarian mission, it communicates with all parties involved in conflicts whether in writing or through dialogue. However, it emphasized that this engagement 'never provides those parties with financial, logistical or other support. ' The ICRC, which has been present in Niger for 35 years, described the shutdown as regrettable. The organization disclosed that foreign personnel were withdrawn from the country earlier this year, in compliance with the government's initial order. It also stated that efforts to open dialogue with Niger authorities had not yielded results. ' Our priority in Niger has been to help the most vulnerable people affected by ongoing armed conflicts and to do so with transparency, independence, neutrality and impartiality, ' said Patrick Youssef, ICRC's Regional Director for Africa. Impact on humanitarian aid According to United Nations figures, around 4.5 million people, or 17% of Niger's population, needed humanitarian assistance in 2024. The country continues to face a severe crisis fueled by insecurity, disease outbreaks, and environmental disasters. The Red Cross's exit is likely to further strain humanitarian support in a country already battling multiple emergencies. Since the 2023 coup that ousted President Mohamed Bazoum, Niger's military government has taken a hard stance against Western organizations and allies. It has joined regional neighbors Mali and Burkina Faso in expelling French and Western forces while seeking closer security cooperation with Russia.
Yahoo
06-06-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Red Cross halts operations in Niger after government directive
NIAMEY (Reuters) -The International Committee of the Red Cross says it has suspended its operations in Niger after the West African nation's government ordered the closure of its offices, citing alleged collusion with armed groups. Niger junta leader Abdourahamane Tchiani said in an interview with state television in late May that the organisation had been expelled in February, accusing it of meeting and collaborating with Islamist insurgent leaders. The ICRC denied the allegations. "To fulfil its humanitarian mandate to protect and assist victims of armed conflict, the ICRC engages in a spoken or written dialogue with all parties to a conflict," it said in a statement on Thursday. The organisation said it "never provides those parties with financial, logistical or other support." The ICRC, which has worked in Niger for 35 years, said it regretted the government's decision. It said it had immediately removed all foreign personnel from Niger earlier this year after authorities ordered it to do so, while remaining available for dialogue to understand what drove the decision and provide clarification. It added that attempts to discuss the situation were unsuccessful. "Our priority in Niger has been to help the most vulnerable people affected by ongoing armed conflicts and to do so with transparency, independence, neutrality and impartiality," ICRC Regional Director Patrick Youssef said in the statement. Around 4.5 million people, or 17% of Niger's population, required aid in 2024 due to a humanitarian crisis driven by insecurity, epidemics, and natural disasters, according to the United Nations. Niger's junta staged a coup in 2023 that ousted President Mohamed Bazoum. Following the coup, Niger's authorities, like military rulers in Mali and Burkina Faso, expelled French and other Western forces and sought support from Russia as they battle militant groups.
Straits Times
06-06-2025
- Politics
- Straits Times
Red Cross halts operations in Niger after government directive
NIAMEY - The International Committee of the Red Cross says it has suspended its operations in Niger after the West African nation's government ordered the closure of its offices, citing alleged collusion with armed groups. Niger junta leader Abdourahamane Tchiani said in an interview with state television in late May that the organisation had been expelled in February, accusing it of meeting and collaborating with Islamist insurgent leaders. The ICRC denied the allegations. "To fulfil its humanitarian mandate to protect and assist victims of armed conflict, the ICRC engages in a spoken or written dialogue with all parties to a conflict," it said in a statement on Thursday. The organisation said it "never provides those parties with financial, logistical or other support." The ICRC, which has worked in Niger for 35 years, said it regretted the government's decision. It said it had immediately removed all foreign personnel from Niger earlier this year after authorities ordered it to do so, while remaining available for dialogue to understand what drove the decision and provide clarification. It added that attempts to discuss the situation were unsuccessful. "Our priority in Niger has been to help the most vulnerable people affected by ongoing armed conflicts and to do so with transparency, independence, neutrality and impartiality," ICRC Regional Director Patrick Youssef said in the statement. Around 4.5 million people, or 17% of Niger's population, required aid in 2024 due to a humanitarian crisis driven by insecurity, epidemics, and natural disasters, according to the United Nations. Niger's junta staged a coup in 2023 that ousted President Mohamed Bazoum. Following the coup, Niger's authorities, like military rulers in Mali and Burkina Faso, expelled French and other Western forces and sought support from Russia as they battle militant groups. REUTERS Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
