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Three years after Niger’s military coup, the country has seen a rise in jihadist violence and a sharp curtailment of political freedoms, even as its economy has grown strongly on the back of oil exports, according to former Nigerien ambassador Kiari Liman-Tinguiri, a senior figure in the toppled government.

Niger has been governed since the coup by the National Council for the Safeguarding of the Fatherland, led by General Abdourahamane Tiani. Tiani was formally sworn in last year as president for a renewable five-year term, while political parties have been dissolved and the authorities have tightened their control over the media and civil society.

“Unfortunately, the reality is that the situation has undeniably worsened compared with 2023,” Liman-Tinguiri told RFI.

Coverage Comparison

The assessments of Niger’s trajectory are consistent across the two sources covering the story, both of which draw on the testimony of Liman-Tinguiri, who served as Niger’s ambassador to the US under President Bazoum. Their framing emphasizes the deterioration of security and civic freedoms, attributing the decline to the military takeover and subsequent governance. The tone is critical of the junta, portraying it as an authoritarian regime that has suppressed dissent.

Both reports note that the military’s initial justification for the coup—citing insecurity and poor governance—has not held up. Three years on, Liman-Tinguiri argues, the situation is worse.

Key Claims

  • The coup and its aftermath: President Mohamed Bazoum was overthrown on 26 July 2023. Both sources report that Bazoum remains detained in Niamey with his wife, and that Niger has since been governed by the National Council for the Safeguarding of the Fatherland, led by General Abdourahamane Tiani. Tiani was formally sworn in as president for a renewable five-year term. Political parties have been dissolved, and the authorities have tightened their control over the media and civil society.
  • Worsening security: Citing data from the Armed Conflict Location and Event Data project (ACLED), Liman-Tinguiri points to increases in security incidents, deaths, and attacks against Niger’s armed forces. He also notes a geographical spread of jihadist violence. Niger has faced repeated attacks by armed groups linked to Al-Qaeda and the Islamic State, particularly near the borders with Mali and Burkina Faso. The reports also mention that Niger’s western Tillabéri region has become the area worst affected by militant violence in the central Sahel, and there has been a rise in attacks against the armed forces.
  • Economic growth: Despite the security challenges, Niger’s economy has avoided collapse. According to Liman-Tinguiri, the economy grew at between 9 percent and 10 percent in 2024 and was estimated at around 7 percent in 2025. Oil accounts for approximately 9 percent of Niger’s gross domestic product, making it a key driver of growth, while agriculture is the second-largest contributor. Notably, the Niger-Benin oil pipeline and related investments had already been negotiated before the coup.
  • Freedom of expression: The authorities have “suppressed” freedom of expression, according to the reports. Political parties have been dissolved, and control over the media and civil society has tightened.
As reported by both AllAfrica and RFI, the picture is one of a country where the junta’s initial promises have not been met: instead of improved security and better governance, the situation has deteriorated on both fronts, even as the oil sector has provided a measure of applied economics growth. The regime faces the challenge of reconciling a contracting of civic space with the economic potential of its energy resources.