The military leadership in Niger has announced the suspension of ten international media outlets, citing concerns that their coverage could threaten public order. This decision comes just days before the highly anticipated France-Africa summit, Africa Forward, scheduled to take place in Nairobi.
The National Observatory of Communication (ONC) released a statement on national television outlining the suspension of the following outlets: France 24, RFI (Radio France Internationale), France Afrique Media, LSI Africa, AFP (Agence France-Presse), TV5 Monde, TF1 Info, Jeune Afrique, and Mediapart. The order applies to all broadcasting platforms, including satellite bouquets, cable networks, digital platforms, websites, and mobile applications.
The ONC emphasized that the suspension is immediate, though it did not specify the reasons behind the move. Reporters Without Borders (RSF) swiftly condemned the decision, calling for its immediate reversal, describing it as arbitrary and unjustified.
a pattern of media restrictions under the junta
This isn’t the first time foreign media have faced restrictions in Niger. Since the military coup in July 2023, several outlets have been targeted. RFI and France 24 were suspended shortly after the takeover, and the BBC was banned in December 2024. The junta has since distanced itself from France, its former colonial power, by expelling French troops involved in counterterrorism efforts. The regime has instead strengthened ties with Russia, frequently criticizing Western imperialism while asserting its national sovereignty.
regional tensions ahead of africa forward summit
The decision follows a similar move by neighboring Burkina Faso, an ally within the Alliance of Sahel States (AES), which banned TV5 Monde and suspended other Western media outlets. Meanwhile, Mali, another AES member, has also restricted French media amid ongoing security challenges, including jihadist attacks and Tuareg rebel activity.
The timing of Niger‘s announcement is significant, as the Africa Forward summit approaches. The governments of Niger, Mali, and Burkina Faso have all declined to participate in the event.
press freedom under siege in Niger
Local journalists are also facing increasing pressure. This week, two Nigerien journalists—Gazali Abdou, a correspondent for Deutsche Welle, and Hassane Zada, editor of a regional publication—were released after months in detention. According to the United Nations, 13 journalists were arrested in Niger in 2025, with six still imprisoned on charges such as undermining national defense and conspiring against state authority.
The country’s crackdown on media extends beyond arrests. In 2024, Niger enacted a law criminalizing the digital dissemination of content deemed disruptive to public order. Additionally, nearly 3,000 local and international NGOs were suspended in 2025, accused of lacking transparency and allegedly supporting terrorist groups, which have destabilized large parts of the nation.
Niger’s press freedom ranking has plummeted. In 2026, the country dropped 37 places in Reporters Without Borders (RSF)’s global press freedom index, landing at 120th out of 180 countries. The watchdog, along with Amnesty International, has repeatedly warned of a deterioration in press freedoms under the current leadership.