Nigerien activist Nassirou Bodo detained in Niamey after criticizing military regime
via SeneNews2 min read
Nassirou Bodo, a Nigerien activist critical of the ruling junta, was placed under a detention warrant on Wednesday at Niamey prison. This occurred days after he made strong statements against the military regime. Online media outlet A茂r Info reported that Bodo was detained after being presented to the prosecutor. Civil society figure Kaka Touda confirmed Bodo's incarceration on Facebook, without providing further details on the reasons for his detention, which followed police custody. Private daily L鈥橢nqu锚teur reported that the activist is being prosecuted for "disseminating data likely to disturb public order." Earlier this week, Bodo called on Nigeriens via Facebook to engage in actions of "protest and disapproval of the social violence that the state exerts on the populations" for "a renewable period of one year starting from June 1st." Among these acts of "violence," he cited "insecurity in several regions" and the ongoing "unjust eviction" of residents from the Niamey airport area, who were targeted in a January 29 attack claimed by Islamic State in the Sahel EIS. Authorities state that the demolition of "poorly constructed" homes aims to protect the capital from "terrorist risk." Niger faces violence from jihadist groups linked to Al-Qaeda and the Islamic State organization. Since the military came to power in July 2023, journalists and civil society actors in Niger have been arrested, incarcerated, and some convicted for defamation, undermining national security, and c
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Must ReadGeneral Birame Diop, former Minister of the Armed Forces of Senegal, has been officially appointed president of the Economic Community of West African States ECOWAS Commission for the 2026-2030 term. His appointment was confirmed on July 19, 2026, during the 69th ordinary session of the Conference of Heads of State and Government, held in Freetown, Sierra Leone. General Diop succeeds Omar Alieu Touray as head of the regional institution's executive body. His candidacy, supported by President Bassirou Diomaye Faye, was formalized on May 31, 2026, after Senegal was designated to lead the Commission during the 68th ordinary session in Abuja in December 2025, marking a first for the country. This appointment is particularly significant as it coincides with Bassirou Diomaye Faye's selection to assume the rotating presidency of the Conference of Heads of State. This configuration places Senegal at both the political and executive helm of ECOWAS, an unprecedented situation in the organization's history. A career officer with over thirty years of experience, General Birame Diop has held several strategic positions within the Senegalese army, including Chief of General Staff of the Armed Forces 2020-2021, Special Chief of Staff to the President of the Republic 2018-2020, and Chief of Staff of the Air Force 2015-2017. He also has international experience, notably with the United Nations, where he served as military advisor to the Secretary-General for peacekeeping operations.
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