The disappearance of Ivorian journalist Serge Mathurin Adou in Niger’s capital, Niamey, has sparked concern among African press unions, who are calling for clarity from local authorities. Adou has been missing for over two weeks, with no contact reported since his disappearance on 1 September.
According to Jean-Claude Coulibaly, president of the National Union of Journalists in Ivory Coast, Adou had informed his wife shortly before he vanished that he had been summoned by the judicial police. Reports from Niamey suggest that Adou faces accusations of espionage and alleged collusion with terrorists.
There has been no official information released by Nigerien authorities regarding Adou’s case. Noel Yao, head of the Union of Journalists of the African Free Press, noted that Adou’s lawyer is unreachable and that Canal 3, the media outlet employing Adou, has also not received any updates.
The two press unions have urged Nigerien officials to clarify the circumstances of Adou’s arrest and the specific charges against him.
This incident follows the April arrest and subsequent release on bail of the head of Niger’s largest private daily, L’Enqueteur, who was detained for “attacking national defence.”
Niger’s press freedom ranking has dropped, with the country falling from 59th to 61st place in the Reporters Without Borders (RSF) global index. The military-led regime, which took power in July 2023 after the overthrow of President Mohamed Bazoum, has since tightened restrictions on information dissemination.