On the evening of Thursday, October 10, President Abdourahamane Tiani revoked the Nigerien citizenship of nine individuals close to former President Mohamed Bazoum, who was ousted last year, in July 2023. All nine are considered opponents of the military junta in power in Niamey. The decision is based on a newly established list of those allegedly involved in terrorism or actions against the State.
Most of those stripped of their citizenship were members of Bazoum’s cabinet, including Rhissa Ag Boula, former Minister of State and historic leader of the Tuareg rebellions of 1991 and 2007. After the July 26, 2023 coup, Ag Boula formed the Council of Resistance for the Republic to oppose the ruling junta. Other notable figures affected include Generals Abou Mahamadou Tarka, from the High Authority for the Consolidation of Peace, and Karingama Wali Ibrahim, former head of the presidential guard.
Like Ag Boula, who is now in exile in France, all nine are living abroad. Despite this, their names have been added to a file accusing them of “intelligence with a foreign power,” “treason,” and “conspiracy.” Human Rights Watch (HRW) condemned the move as an obstruction of basic rights. The Nigerien gendarmerie has labeled them fugitives, issuing a wanted notice for their alleged involvement in acts aimed at undermining state security following the 2023 coup.