Niger - August 2025

On 7 August, Interior Minister Gen. Mohamed Toumba signed decrees dissolving four major justice sector unions: the Autonomous Union of Magistrates (Syndicat autonome des magistrats, SAMAN), the Independent Union of Magistrates of Niger (Syndicat indépendant des magistrats du Niger, SIMAN), the National Union of Justice Agents (Syndicat national des agents de justice, SNAJ) and the Union of Executives and Technical Agents of the Ministry of Justice (Syndicat des cadres et des agents techniques du Ministère de la Justice, SYNCAT). The Justice Ministry said the unions had ‘deviated’ from their mission and promoted private interests, while SAMAN condemned the move as ‘arbitrary’ and pledged to challenge it in court. The decision sparked a two-day lawyers’ strike and drew criticism from local bar associations and international rights groups, which warned it undermines judicial independence and freedom of association.

Sources: The Government of Niger, International Crisis Group, Jeune Afrique, Radio France Internationale, Human Rights Watch