Where is Moussa Kaka? A disturbing silence in Niamey
Veteran journalist Moussa Kaka, founder and director of Radio-Télévision Saraounia, has not been seen or heard from since the evening of August 31, 2026. That day, around 7 p.m., he left his office in Niamey and never arrived home. His family, colleagues, and the broader Nigerien media community are left without answers, fueling fears over his wellbeing and the safety of journalists across the country.
The disappearance of Moussa Kaka arrives after a dramatic escalation in restrictions on the press in Niger, especially since the military takeover in July 2023 that installed General Abdourahamane Tiani. Over the past three years, arrests, detentions, media suspensions, and legal pressure have become commonplace, with serious consequences for public debate and democratic accountability.
The growing cost of reporting in Niger
The case of Moussa Kaka is not an isolated incident. It follows a troubling pattern that has reshaped Nigerien journalism since the 2023 coup:
- Samira Sabou, a journalist and blogger, was arrested by plainclothes officers in Niamey on September 30, 2023, and held in secret detention for days before being released.
- Soumana Idrissa Maïga, editor-in-chief of L’Enquêteur, was arrested in April 2024 after publishing an article on alleged surveillance equipment in government buildings and detained for over two months before being released on bail.
- Seyni Amadou, editor-in-chief of Canal 3 TV, was arrested in January 2025 following the broadcast of a government performance report and released within days.
- Gazali Abdou Tasawa, a correspondent for Deutsche Welle, was detained in January 2025 after reporting on living conditions of migrants and refugees in Niamey. His detention was described as arbitrary by press freedom monitors.
- In May 2025, Hamid Mahmoud, Mahaman Sani, and Massaouda Jaharou of Sahara FM were arrested following a program on bilateral military cooperation between Niger and Russia.
These cases underscore a broader trend: journalists covering sensitive topics—security, governance, international relations, or military affairs—face unprecedented risks, including arrest, detention, and criminal prosecution. In October 2025, a sweeping crackdown led to the arrest of six media professionals, including Moussa Kaka, over the online sharing of a press conference invitation. While three were released under judicial supervision, three others—including Ibro Chaibou—remained in detention for nearly a year before being freed in August 2026.
From arrest to disappearance: what the timeline reveals
While Moussa Kaka’s disappearance cannot be conclusively linked to earlier arrests without further evidence, the timing is deeply unsettling. It echoes the case of Serge Mathurin Adou, an Ivorian journalist based in Niamey who was reported missing in September 2024. After weeks of uncertainty, it emerged he had been detained by Nigerien authorities on charges of endangering state security, in connection with alleged destabilization efforts in Burkina Faso.
Such cases highlight a disturbing practice: journalists may vanish for weeks, only to resurface in official custody. The lack of transparency in these processes leaves families and colleagues in the dark and perpetuates a climate of fear.
Press freedom in freefall: the data tells the story
The erosion of Niger’s media environment is reflected not only in anecdotal accounts but also in hard rankings. According to Reporters Without Borders, Niger’s ranking in the World Press Freedom Index plummeted from 83rd out of 180 countries in 2025 to 120th in 2026—a drop of 37 places in one year. This decline is directly tied to increased arrests, prosecutions, media suspensions, and the use of restrictive cybercrime laws targeting online content.
The legal climate has grown particularly hostile. Journalists now face criminal penalties for publishing certain types of online material, especially when it touches on security, governance, or international relations. With such an environment, the ability to report freely and hold power to account is increasingly compromised.
What’s left of press freedom when journalists fear going home?
The disappearance of Moussa Kaka raises urgent questions about the state of Nigerien journalism and its future. A free press is not just measured by the number of active media outlets; it is defined by the ability of journalists to investigate, question authority, and report without fear of arrest, intimidation, or worse. When reporters vanish without explanation, the real cost extends beyond individual lives—it strikes at the heart of democratic society.
For Moussa Kaka’s family, the uncertainty is unbearable. For his colleagues, it signals a clear message: report critically, and you may not return home. For the people of Niger, it erodes trust in the information they receive and weakens public discourse.
The call for a full, transparent investigation is not just a legal or professional demand—it is a societal one. The truth behind Moussa Kaka’s disappearance must be uncovered. But even more, the systemic pressures on Niger’s media must be addressed. Without accountability, the silence that now surrounds journalists will only deepen—and with it, the crisis of press freedom in Niger.
The way forward: demands for transparency and protection
The circumstances surrounding Moussa Kaka’s disappearance remain unclear. However, his case—and the broader pattern of arrests, detentions, and forced disappearances—demands immediate action:
- Full investigation: Nigerien authorities must conduct a credible and transparent inquiry into his disappearance and disclose all findings.
- Protection for journalists: Guarantees must be provided for the safety of media workers, especially those reporting on sensitive issues.
- Reform of restrictive laws: Laws used to criminalize journalism—including cybercrime regulations—must be revised to align with international press freedom standards.
- Media autonomy: Restrictions on international and local media must be lifted to allow unhindered reporting.
