Niger: Prominent Journalist Moussa Kaka Feared Forcibly Disappeared

Moussa Kaka, a prominent Nigerien journalist and director-general of Radio Télévision Saraounia, went missing in Niamey, Niger, on August 31, raising serious fears of his forced disappearance following an attempted coup. Kaka, also a former correspondent for Radio France Internationale, was last seen leaving his office at approximately 7 p.m., and his family and colleagues have since been unable to ascertain his whereabouts. This incident occurs against a backdrop of heightened political instability in Niger, marked by an attempted coup on August 29 and subsequent detentions of alleged participants by authorities, reportedly backed by Russian government-controlled Africa Corps forces. The disappearance echoes concerns previously raised by a Nigerien journalist, who noted that individuals in Niger could disappear due to their opinions, suggesting a pattern of suppression. The outcome of this specific disappearance is not yet reported.