On 26 July 2023, Niger was thrown into political upheaval. Members of the President’s guard announced a coup on state television a few hours later by members of the democratically elected President Mohammad Bajaum.
The Takhtapalat was led by the head of the President’s Guard, General Abdurhman Tchiani, with support of elements of the country’s armed forces.
When he took power two years ago, Tachiani justified the coup, citing rising insecurity, harsh economic conditions, and what he said as a huge influence from Western powers, he participates in the country’s former colonial ruler, France.
Niger has experienced several military acquisitions in the past, but this time was different: many civilians took to the streets to show their support for military leaders.
But in the following two years, some analysts say that much has changed for better. “In some cases, the situation has deteriorated,” said Mutru Mumuni Mukthar, Executive Director of West African Center for Counter Excitance.
With the incidents of 26 July, Niger joined the rank of neighboring gardeners and Burkina Faso, already under military rule. In the early 2024, Niger announced his return from the Economic Community or Ecova of the West African states with Mali and Burkina Faso. The move marked a major innings in the region, deepening the division between military -led governments and the block insisted on the return of civil rule.
Loss of job in non-profit sector
The current leadership of Niger has forced several non -governmental organizations, including the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) – assisting more than 2 million people affected by the armed struggle to BEE – to close operations.
For some Nigeria, especially those who lose their jobs after leadership change, life is more difficult.
35 -year -old Soule said, “I am now suffering. It has been a year since we have stopped,” 35 -year -old Soule said, who lost his job as a nutrition researcher in a local NGO after a coup in an interview with DW.
32 -year -old Mahman lost his place as an assistant coordinator in an NGO located in Talabari. “Just after the coup, funds were not coming regularly, and our activities were delayed,” he said. “Finally, he decided to completely stop the money.”
“There is a very compressed place for the work of a civil society or NGO, so there are too much job disadvantages at that place,” said the Muktar of the West African Center for Counter Force Extremism.
Niger already struggles with high level of youth. In 2023, the International Labor Organization estimated that about 23% of Nigeria were unemployed between 15 and 29 – one of the highest young unemployed rates in Africa.
Human rights violation continues
The rights groups including Human Rights Watch and Amnesty International have accused the freedom of press and expression in media and civil society.
Ilaria Elegroji, a Sentareshel researcher at Human Rights Watch, said that freedom of expression in the country is deteriorating, military leaders have taken charge. “Since the coup, two years ago, the authorities have shown high level of intolerance. They have torn the opposition, media and civil society, and they are clear that they are rejecting any transition back to civil democratic RUL,” Elegroji told DW.
He said, “He has arbitrarily detailed Mohammad Bajaum and his wife for two years. He has arbitrarily arrested.
In its 2025 state of the world’s human rights report, Amnesty International wrote that Niger regularly “violated the human rights of freedom of information and expression.”
Although around 50 were released from detailed jails in April, the organization reported that “many others are still behind bars on politically motivated allegations”.
In January 2024, the Press House (Maison De La Presse) -TO was suspended by the umbrella group of media organizations and was replaced by a ad hoc committee, headed by the General Secretary of the Interior Ministry, which was according to Amnesty International.
Is it still possible to return to civil rule?
In March, Niger’s Militation Government Leader, General Abdurhaman Tachianani, was sworn in for a five -year term under a new charter to change the country’s Constitution. For many people, it indicated that the return of civilian democratic rule is never likely to be cut.
“Initially, we were talking about three years; Now we are talking about five years. It is an indication that this regime wants to stay longer than expected. And it is my guess that they are probably even five years longer,” said Muqkar.
Ecowas efforts to help Niger, Burkina Faso and Mali transition back into civil rule have failed so far.
This article was edited by Sarah Hukal.
