On the evening of Thursday, October 10, President Abdourahamane Tiani decreed the withdrawal of Nigerien citizenship from nine personalities close to President Mohamed Bazoum who was overthrown last year. All are considered opponents of the military junta in power in Niamey. This decision is based on the recently established file which lists people involved in acts of terrorism or attacks on the interests of the State.
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The nine people affected by the forfeiture of their Nigerien nationality decreed by the president Abdourahamane Tiani were almost all part of the former president’s cabinet 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 “, “ treason “, ” conspiracy “…
Like Rhissa Ag Boula who obtained asylum in Franceall of them now live 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 the authority of the ‘State. They are notably accused of “ intelligence with a foreign power “, of “ treason » and “ conspiracy “. The document is, however, denounced by Human Rights Watch (HRW) as a “ hindrance » to fundamental rights.
The Nigerien gendarmerie considers them “ like on the run “, according to the wanted notice that she published, and is looking for them for their alleged ” involvement in a case of treason and conspiracy intended to undermine the security and 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.
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