Moussa Tchangari, a figure in civil society and head of a major Nigerien NGO, was imprisoned on January 3, 2025 in a prison east of Niamey, after a month in police custody, his association announced. “ I think his morale is very high », Says Mamane Kaka Touda, one of his close collaborators, who recently met him at Filingué prison. For her part, the FIDH Africa manager hopes that “ the Nigerien authorities will have a start and realize that it is useless to have such actions, that it is counterproductive to attack civil society “.
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After a month of police custody in State Security premises, Moussa Tchangari, human rights defender, Secretary General of the NGO Alternative Espaces Citoyens, and respected and recognized figure in civil society, beyond the borders of Niger, was presented on January 3, 2025 before the dean of investigating judges in Niamey, then incarcerated at Filingué prison, 180 kilometers northeast of the Nigerien capital.
Already indicted on three counts – “endangering state security”, “criminal association linked to terrorism” and “advocating terrorism” – he is now also charged with “endangering national defense” and “intelligence with enemy powers”.
“ Moussa is still standing, with iron morale »
Enough to arouse the emotion of Mamane Kaka Touda. This member of Alternative citizen spaces was able to see Moussa Tchangari again on January 5, 2025, of whom he is a close collaborator.
During his month in police custody, Moussa Tchangari did not see his family. This Sunday morning, Mamane Kaka Touda met him at the prison at the same time as his wife and other colleagues who made the trip. “ We were able to meet him and Moussa is still standing, with iron moralehe says into the microphoneAmélie Tulet. I spoke with him practically for 2 hours. I think his morale is very high “.
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He continues: “ What he told us above all was to continue the work: the human work that we do, the work based on vulnerable populations. He is sure of himself and that whatever he is accused of, he waits for them to provide the slightest proof or even a clue. So, it is he who is arrested, but in fact it is us who are in prison. He is freer than us who are free, in reality. Because he keeps telling us to arm ourselves with courage and continue to lead the civic fight that we have always led until now. And I find that it’s very strong for someone who is deprived of freedom, of their freedom. Moussa inspires beyond the Sahel countries. »
“ We hope that the authorities will become aware »
For its part, the International Federation for Human Rights (FIDH) is calling for the immediate release of Moussa Tchangari. “ We hope that the authorities will still be aware of this repression which is really starting to reach a very worrying level.underlines Hassatou Ba-Minté, Africa manager of the FIDH, at the microphone ofAmélie Tulet. This repression against defenders and all pro-human rights, pro-democracy activists, etc. is happening in Niger, but also in other countries in the sub-region. We really hope that the Nigerien authorities will have a start and realize that it is useless to have such actions, that it is counterproductive to attack civil society, that civil society should not be considered like the enemy from within. It’s a vocabulary we hear regularly “.
She continues: “ The charges brought against Moussa Tchangari are also very illustrative of this logic. It is important, in crisis and conflict situations, to be able to bring populations together and be able to open a dialogue that allows everyone to express their views and concerns to achieve a period of stability, and a return to democracy. in Niger. So, we really hope that the authorities will be sensitive to our messages and open the door to dialogue. »