A GROUP of African human rights, civil society activists and public intellectuals on Wednesday demanded the immediate release of Moussa Tchangari, a Nigerien journalist and human rights advocate.
Tchangari, who is the General Secretary of Alternative Espaces Citoyens (AEC), was arrested by Nigerien security agents on Tuesday and took him to an unknown destination, the group disclosed in a statement Wednesday.
The statement revealed that Tchangari was arrested on his return from Abuja, Nigeria, where he had attended the meeting of the International Governing Council of the Centre for Democracy and Development (CDD), in which he serves as a member.
After the CDD meeting, Tchangari also participated with friends and comrades in a symposium celebrating the 70th birthday anniversary of his friend and comrade, Prof. Jibrin Ibrahim, on Monday.
Signed by 18 signatories, the statement also said Tchangari has over twenty years of experience in journalism and civil society activism.
According to the statement, Tchangari has been a pillar in defending citizens’ rights and interests, but however noting that the reason for his arrest is not clear, but however noting that the military regime in Niger has tightened restrictions on the media and information space.
Previously, Tchangari had attended an African Seminar in Abidjan focused on humanitarian action in West Africa in times of terrorism. His passion for a peaceful, democratic West Africa free from neo-colonial control is well known, the group noted.
Currently, Tchangari teaches a course on human rights at the Niamey Police Academy and his commitment to a free and democratic Niger, Sahel and West Africa is widely acknowledged, the group stressed.
The signatories to the statement include Dauda Garuba, CDD’s Director; Comrade John Odah, the chairperson of CDD’s International Governing Council and Executive Secretary of the Organisation of Trade Unions of West Africa; Yusuf Bangura from Sierra Leone; Prof. Toyin Falola of the University of Texas, USA; Prof. Dzodzi Tsikata of the University of Legon, Ghana, and deputy chair of CDD’s International Governing Council; Prof. Boubaca Ndiaye, Former member, CDD International Governing Council, USA; Prof. Hauwa Biu, Member, CDD International Governing Council, Nigeria and Dr. Otive Igbuzor, Treasurer, CDD International Governing Council, Nigeria.
Other signatories are: Dr. Sonny Onyegbula, Member, CDD International Governing Council, South Sudan; Mr. Dayo Olaide, Member, CDD International Governing Council, Canada; Mr. Musikilu Mojeed, Editor-in-Chief/Chief Operating Officer, Premium Times, Nigeria; Prof. Jibrin Ibrahim, Chairman, Editorial Board, Premium Times, Nigeria; Auwal Musa Rafsanjani, Executive Director, Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre (CISLAC), Nigeria; Dr Abubakar Siddique Mohammed, Director, Centre For Democratic Development, Research and Training (CEDDET), Nigeria; Prof. Okello Oculi, Uganda; Prof. Massaud Omar, Ahmadu Bello University, Nigeria; Mallam Y. Z. Ya’u, Executive Director, Centre for Information Technology and Development (CITAD), Nigeria; Charmaine Pereira, Nigeria; and Saudatu Mahdi, Secretary General.
The statement, entitled: “We Demand the Immediate Release of Moussa Tchangari, Journalist and Human Rights Defender,” reads:
“We the undersigned demand the immediate release of Moussa Tchangari, a journalist and human rights defender in the Republic of Niger. Moussa, General Secretary of Alternative Espaces Citoyens (AEC), was arrested yesterday, 3rd December 2024, by security operatives of the Republic of Niger who surrounded his house, prevented access and took him off to an unknown destination.
“He was arrested on his return from Abuja, Nigeria where he had attended the meeting of the International Governing Council of the Centre for Democracy and Development (CDD-West Africa) where he is a member.
“While he was in Abuja, he also participated with friends and comrades in a symposium celebrating the 70th birthday anniversary of his friend and comrade, Professor Jibrin Ibrahim.
“Previously, he had attended an African Seminar in Abidjan, Cote d’Ivoire focused on humanitarian action in West Africa in times of terrorism.
“Moussa’s passion for a peaceful, democratic West Africa free from neo-colonial control is well known. He teaches a course on human rights at the Niamey Police Academy and his commitment to a free and democratic Niger, Sahel and West Africa is widely acknowledged.
“The circumstances of Moussa’s arrest are particularly troubling as much as they constitute a flagrant disregard for due process and undermine the principles of justice and fairness.
“Moussa has over twenty years’ experience in journalism and civil society activism, and he has been a pillar in the defense of the rights and interests of citizens.
“It is on this basis that we, in our capacity as African human rights defenders, journalists, and civil society activists, demand for the immediate release of Moussa Tchangari.”
