The nine people affected by the forfeiture of their Nigerien nationality decreed by President Abdourahamane Tiani were almost all part of the cabinet of former President Mohamed Bazoum.
Among them is Rhissa Ag Boula, who was minister of state and advisor to the presidency, but who is also and above all the historic leader of the Tuareg rebellions of 1991 and 2007. Two weeks after the putsch of July 26, 2023, Rhissa Ag Boula had launched a Resistance Council for the Republic whose objective was to counter the CNSP junta. Generals Abou Mahamadou Tarka, of the High Authority for the Consolidation of Peace, and Karingama Wali Ibrahim, former head of the presidential guard, are also targeted by this measure.
“Intelligence with a foreign power”, “betrayal”, “conspiracy”…
Like Rhissa Ag Boula who obtained asylum in France, all of them are now living in exile since the coup d’état, which did not prevent the junta in power in Niamey from including their names in the new file of people suspected of terrorism and attacks on state authority. They are notably accused of “intelligence with a foreign power”, “treason” and “conspiracy”. The document is, however, denounced by Human Rights Watch (HRW) as an “obstruction” of fundamental rights.
The Nigerien gendarmerie considers them “as on the run”, according to the wanted notice it issued, and is looking for them for their alleged “involvement in a case of treason and conspiracy aimed at undermining security”. and to the authority of the State”, following the coup d’état of July 26, 2023.
If the Niger government press release specifies that this loss of nationality is temporary, never before has such a decision been taken by a Nigerien head of state.
