Niger: Protection of Civilians Must Remain the Top Priority
The People’s Coalition for the Sahel expresses its deep concern at the military takeover in Niamey
Press statement of the People’s Coalition for the Sahel - 3 August 2023
« In a volatile socio-political, economic and security context that imposes many challenges for the region's civilian populations, the People’s Coalition for the Sahel expresses its deep concern at the situation prevailing in Niger.
Since the military seizure of power that began on 26 July, Niger has been plunged into a state of uncertainty that leads civil society to fear the worst for the country and the region, particularly with regard to the well-being and protection of civilian populations.
The People’s Coalition for the Sahel wishes to underscore the following priorities:
The protection of civilian populations and human security must remain the top priority for all parties.
All measures aimed at responding to the current situation must not aggravate insecurity and further weaken Niger’s economy. Regional organisations, including ECOWAS, should do everything in their power to prevent sanctions from negatively impacting civilian populations.
Nigerien civil and political liberties must be preserved and safeguarded, including protecting the rights of civil society organizations and human rights defenders to continue their activities freely and safely.
The Nigerien authorities must guarantee unimpeded humanitarian access for aid to reach populations in need.
The People’s Coalition for the Sahel calls for greater support to civil society in Niger and their efforts to encourage peaceful protests and adopt a perspective of dialogue with all parties as they seek an end to these challenges.
The People’s Coalition for the Sahel will continue, without respite, to play its part in the search for peaceful solutions to the challenges undermining the region, and to ensure that the well-being of civilian populations remains at the heart of these responses.
In keeping with its four fundamental pillars, the People’s Coalition for the Sahel reiterates its unwavering commitment to democratic principles, good governance, and the protection of human rights, particularly the respect for civil and political liberties. »
The People's Coalition for the Sahel is an informal alliance of several dozen Sahelian and West African civil society organizations, whose aim is to encourage governments to adopt a new approach in the Sahel that will better protect civilian populations.
The Coalition’s four fundamental citizen pillars are: (1) putting the protection of civilians and human security at the heart of the response in the Sahel; (2) creating a comprehensive political strategy that addresses the root causes of insecurity; (3) responding to humanitarian emergencies and ensuring that aid is tailored to development; (4) combating impunity and guaranteeing access to justice for all.
To know more about the People’s Coalition : https://www.sahelpeoplescoalition.org.
Media resources:
« Niger: another military coup in the Sahel, concern for civilians », joint press release from the Association malienne des droits de l’Homme (AMDH) and FIDH, July 27, 2023.
« Niger: Rights at Risk Since Military Coup », press release from Human Rights Watch, July 27, 2023.
« Niger: New authorities must put an end to illegal administrative detentions and arbitrary arrests », press release from Amnesty International, August 1, 2023.
« The Sahel : What has changed », report by the People’s Coalition for the Sahel, June 2022.