Niger's President of the Republic, General Abdourahamane Tiani, signed a decree on Thursday, September 17, 2026, provisionally revoking the Nigerien nationality of five individuals. This significant decree, concerning the provisional revocation of Nigerien nationality, was officially announced through a communiqué from the General Secretariat of the Government. The communiqué, published the same day in Niamey, detailed the measure and its immediate implications. Among those targeted by the decree are Amadou, dit Ange Barou Chekaraou, born September 18, 1982, in Toudouni, Tahoua region, and Ouhoumoudou Mahamadou, born January 1, 1954, in Amaloul, also in the Tahoua region. The presidential order also affects Oumarou Moussa Ibrahim, born May 17, 1976, in Tassara; Ousmane Abdoul Moumouni, born October 24, 1975, in Zinder; and Boubacar Seyni Souley, born March 28, 1976, in Niamey. The Secretary-General of the Government, Mahamane Roufai Laouali, signed the communiqué, showing the official nature of the announcement.
Legal Basis and Charges
The provisional revocation of nationality is explicitly based on Article 9 of Ordinance No. 2024-43, dated August 27, 2024. This foundational ordinance established a full file for individuals, groups, or entities implicated in terrorist acts or other offenses against Niger's strategic or fundamental interests. The legal framework was further refined when Ordinance No. 2024-43 was later modified and supplemented by Ordinance No. 2024-46 on October 7, 2024, providing additional clarity and scope to such measures.
According to the government, the five individuals face prosecution for a range of alleged acts. These include the diffusion of data deemed likely to disturb public order, intelligence with foreign powers, and electronic defamation. Authorities also cite their alleged participation in an enterprise to demoralize the army and the Nation, which they claim directly aims to harm national defense and social cohesion. Additionally, the individuals are accused of acts affecting state security and activities likely to disrupt public peace and security. These serious allegations form the basis for the extraordinary measure of provisional nationality revocation.
Context of Targeted Individuals
Ouhoumoudou Mahamadou, one of the individuals prominently named in the decree, served as Prime Minister under the presidency of Mohamed Bazoum. His inclusion in the list of individuals whose nationality has been provisionally revoked places him among those facing prosecution for various alleged acts. Authorities accuse the five individuals of actions such as diffusing data intended to disturb public order and intelligence with foreign powers. Further charges include alleged electronic defamation and participation in an enterprise to demoralize the army and the Nation, which is claimed to harm national defense and social cohesion. The government also cites acts affecting state security and and activities likely to disrupt public peace and security as reasons for the provisional revocation of their Nigerien nationality. The gravity of these accusations notes the government's stance on actions perceived as detrimental to national interests.
Communique Details and Caveats
The communiqué detailing the provisional revocation of Nigerien nationality for the five individuals, including former Prime Minister Ouhoumoudou Mahamadou, does not provide specific information regarding judicial proceedings that will follow. It also omits details on material evidence supporting the allegations or available options for appeal for those affected by the measure, leaving some aspects of the process unclear. Despite the provisional revocation, the individuals involved retain the presumption of innocence. Authorities explicitly state that this presumption will remain in effect until their guilt is definitively established through due process by a competent court, ensuring that legal principles are formally acknowledged even amidst these significant allegations.