Niamey: On July 26, 2023, Niger was plunged into political chaos following a coup d’état that was declared on state television shortly after members of the presidential guard detained the democratically elected President Mohamed Bazoum. The coup was orchestrated by General Abdourahamane Tchiani, the head of the presidential guard, with backing from factions within the country’s armed forces.

According to Deutsche Welle, Tchiani justified the coup by pointing to rising insecurity, tough economic conditions, and what he described as undue influence from Western powers, notably the former colonial ruler, France. Since the coup, Niger has witnessed significant changes, particularly in the nonprofit sector, where many nongovernmental organizations, including the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), have been compelled to cease operations. This has affected over 2 million people who were receiving aid due to armed conflict. For Nigeriens who lost jobs following the leadership change, life has become more challenging. Souley, a 35-year-old former nutrition researcher, expressed his struggles since the coup disrupted his employment with a local NGO. Mahamane, 32, who worked as an assistant coordinator at an NGO in Tillaberi, shared similar difficulties, highlighting the irregularity in funding and eventual cessation of activities.

Niger’s struggle with high youth unemployment has been exacerbated by these job losses. The International Labor Organization estimated that in 2023, around 23% of Nigeriens aged 15 to 29 were unemployed, marking one of the highest youth unemployment rates in Africa.

Human rights conditions have also deteriorated since the coup. Rights organizations, such as Human Rights Watch and Amnesty International, have accused the ruling junta of suppressing freedom of the press and expression in media and civil society. Ilaria Allegrozzi, a senior Sahel researcher at Human Rights Watch, noted the increased intolerance towards opposition, media, and civil society since the military leaders took power. Allegrozzi reported that former President Mohamed Bazoum and his wife have been arbitrarily detained for two years, along with dozens of other officials from the previous government, without due process or fair trial rights.

Amnesty International’s 2025 State of the World’s Human Rights report highlighted Niger’s routine violations of the rights to information and freedom of expression. Despite the release of about 50 detainees in April, many others remain imprisoned on politically motivated charges. In January 2024, the Press House (Maison de la Presse) was suspended and replaced by an ad hoc committee, as reported by Amnesty International.

The prospect of returning to civilian rule appears bleak. In March, General Tchiani was sworn in for a five-year term under a new charter that replaced the country’s constitution, signaling an extended military rule. Muqthar from the West African Center for Counter Extremism noted that the initial discussions of a three-year transition have now extended to five years, indicating the regime’s intent to prolong its hold on power. Efforts by ECOWAS to facilitate a transition back to civilian rule in Niger, Burkina Faso, and Mali have so far been unsuccessful.