MFWA Condemns Repeated Arrest of Journalists in Niger Over Intelligence Report
Journalists Detained Twice for Discussing Foreign Media Report
The Media Foundation for West Africa (MFWA) has strongly condemned the repeated arrests of three journalists from Sahara FM in Agadez, northern Niger. Hamid Mahmoud, Mahaman Sani, and Massaouda Jaharou were detained twice within two days after discussing a foreign media report on air, which allegedly contained misinformation about Niger’s intelligence cooperation with Russia and Turkey.
Initial Arrest and Allegations
The journalists were first detained on 8 May 2025 after their radio station aired a news article originally published by LSI Africa, a France-based online outlet. The report, published on 7 May, claimed that Niger had secretly ended its intelligence cooperation with Russia and Turkey due to ineffective equipment. It also alleged that Niger canceled an emergency partnership with a Moroccan firm linked to a French company, citing concerns over Western influence.
Release and Subsequent Re-Arrest
After several hours of police interrogation, the journalists were presented before the public prosecutor. On 9 May, a judge ordered their release, stating there was no legal basis for their continued detention. However, later that night, security officials re-arrested the trio, according to Air Info Agadez, the media group overseeing Sahara FM.
Questioning and Accusations
Sahara FM’s management revealed to the MFWA that during questioning, police interrogators focused on why the station had broadcast the LSI Africa report. Authorities reportedly insinuated that the journalists may have been financially incentivized to air the story.
MFWA Calls for Press Freedom
The MFWA has denounced the continued harassment of the journalists, urging Nigerien authorities to uphold press freedom. The organization expressed deep concern over the re-arrest of the journalists despite a judicial order for their release. “We urge the government to refrain from using diplomatic tensions with Western countries as a pretext to target independent media or suppress critical reporting,” the MFWA stated.