We Demand the Immediate Release of Moussa Tchangari, Journalist and Human Rights Defender

Press Release

For Immediate Release 

Abuja | 4 December 2024

We Demand the Immediate Release of Moussa Tchangari, Journalist and Human Rights Defender

We the undersigned demand the immediate release of Moussa Tchangari, a journalist and human rights defender in the Republic of Niger. Moussa, General Secretary of Alternative Espaces Citoyens (AEC), was arrested yesterday, 3rd December 2024, by security operatives of the Republic of Niger who surrounded his house, prevented access and took him off to an unknown destination. He was arrested on his return from Abuja, Nigeria where he had attended the meeting of the International Governing Council of the Centre for Democracy and Development (CDD-West Africa) where he is a member. While he was in Abuja, he also participated with friends and comrades in a symposium celebrating the 70th birthday anniversary of his friend and comrade, Professor Jibrin Ibrahim.

Previously, he had attended an African Seminar in Abidjan, Cote d’Ivoire focused on humanitarian action in West Africa in times of terrorism. Moussa’s passion for a peaceful, democratic West Africa free from neo-colonial control is well known. He teaches a course on human rights at the Niamey Police Academy and his commitment to a free and democratic Niger, Sahel and West Africa is widely acknowledged. 

The circumstances of Moussa’s arrest are particularly troubling as much as they constitute a flagrant disregard for due process and undermine the principles of justice and fairness. Moussa has over twenty years’ experience in journalism and civil society activism, and he has been a pillar in the defense of the rights and interests of citizens. It is on this basis that we, in our capacity as African human rights defenders, journalists, and civil society activists, demand for the immediate release of Moussa Tchangari.

SIGNED

1. Dr Dauda Garuba, Director, Center for Democracy and Development (CDD-West Africa) 
2. Comrade John Odah, Executive Secretary, Organisation of Trade Unions of West Africa (OTUWA).
3. Dr Yusuf Bangura, Sierra Leone
4. Professor Toyin Falola, University of Texas, USA
5. Professor Dzodzi Tsikata, Deputy Chair, CDD International Governing Council, Ghana
6. Professor Boubacar Ndiaye, Former member, CDD International Governing Council, USA
7. Professor Hauwa Biu, Member, CDD International Governing Council, Nigeria.
8. Dr. Otive Igbuzor, Treasurer, CDD International Governing Council, Nigeria
9. Dr. Sonny Onyegbula, Member, CDD International Governing Council, South Sudan
10. Mr. Dayo Olaide, Member, CDD International Governing Council, Canada
11. Mr. Musikilu Mojeed, Editor-in-Chief/Chief Operating Officer, Premium Times, Nigeria
12. Professor Jibrin Ibrahim, Chairman, Editorial Board, Premium Times, Nigeria
13. Auwal Musa Rafsanjani, Executive Director, Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre (CISLAC), Nigeria
14. Dr Abubakar Siddique Mohammed, Director, Centre For Democratic Development, Research and Training (CEDDET), Nigeria
15. Professor Okello Oculi, Uganda
16. Professor Massaud Omar, Ahmadu Bello University, Nigeria
17. Mallam YZ Ya'u, Executive Director, Centre for Information Technology and Development (CITAD), Nigeria
18. Charmaine Pereira, Nigeria
19. Saudatu Mahdi, Nigeria

   C/O: CDD-West Africa

   House 16-20 A7 Street CITEC Mount Pleasant Estate, Jabi Airport road, Mbora District, Abuja, Nigeria.