PRESS RELEASE
The Norbert Zongo Unit for Investigative Journalism in West Africa (CENOZO) has learned with concern of the arrest of Nigerian journalist and activist Samira Sabou.
In Niger, this is not the first time that Samira Sabou has been deprived of her freedom for doing her job. On 10 June 2020, she was arrested and detained for more than a month for "a defamatory comment made by an Internet user" on one of her Facebook posts about the embezzlement of funds from Niger's Ministry of National Defence.
Between 2021 and 2022, she was prosecuted, along with investigative journalist Moussa Aksar, former president of CENOZO, for having relayed on the Facebook social network a Global Initiative investigation into drug trafficking in Niger. In early August 2023, a few days after the coup d'état that toppled the regime of President Mohamed Bazoum, Samira Sabou warned of intimidation and threats made against her by members of the military.
His arrest is of concern to CENOZO, which is calling on the new authorities in Niger to guarantee freedom of information, a fundamental right of citizens. CENOZO remains firmly committed to the principles of the rule of law. It joins national, regional and international organisations for the protection and defence of freedom of expression and of the press in demanding the immediate and unconditional release of journalist Samira Sabou.
CENOZO
Ouagadougou, 03 October 2023
FRANCE
