Introduction

Niger's military-led government has revoked the citizenship of five exiled figures, including former Prime Minister Ouhoumoudou Mahamadou, under a newly enacted security ordinance that targets individuals deemed threatening to the state's stability following the 2023 coup.

What Happened

On September 17, 2026, President Abdourahamane Tiani signed a decree stripping nationality from the former prime minister and four associates, including three former advisers to ousted President Mohamed Bazoum. The action invokes a 2024 ordinance establishing a national database for persons suspected of terrorism-related offences or activities harmful to Niger's strategic interests. The decree accuses the five of disseminating data to disturb public order, colluding with foreign powers, and undermining national defense, though the charges have not resulted in criminal convictions.

Why This Matters

The citizenship revocations signal how Niger is leveraging security legislation to consolidate authority after the 2023 coup that removed President Bazoum. The move coincides with Niger's pivot away from Western security cooperation while maintaining lucrative uranium partnerships with Western investors, including a recent $414 million US-backed financing for Global Atomic's Dasa project—the continent's highest-grade uranium deposit. The ordinance's broader use against exiled critics also sets a precedent for how post-coup governments manage dissent.

Key Takeaways

  • Five exiled Nigeriens, including former Prime Minister Ouhoumoudou Mahamadou, lost citizenship under a 2024 security ordinance.
  • The decree, signed by President Tiani, accuses the figures of actions harmful to national security but does not constitute a criminal conviction.
  • The 2024 ordinance creates a national database for persons suspected of terrorism or acts harmful to Niger's strategic interests.
  • Niger's uranium sector remains attractive to Western capital despite political upheaval, highlighted by a $414 million US DFC financing for the Dasa project.
  • The actions reflect a broader trend of post-coup governments using nationality laws to target exiled critics.

Conclusion

As Niger navigates a complex transition following its 2023 coup, the revocation of citizenship underscores the tension between asserting state sovereignty and maintaining international commercial partnerships. How the government balances security crackdowns with economic interests will likely shape its trajectory in the coming years.