For the first time, Niger strips a woman of her citizenship on charges of collaborating with a foreign power.

Written by: Mohammed Omran

In a first since the military council came to power, Niger's President General Abdourahmane Tiani issued a decree temporarily stripping citizen Mariama Djibrine, known as "Maira," of her Nigerien citizenship, on charges of collusion with a foreign power and threatening national security.

General Abdourahman Tiani signed a new decree on Thursday temporarily stripping Mariama Jabrin, also known as Maira, of her citizenship.

Niger strips woman of citizenship for allegedly collaborating with a foreign power

The decision is the first case targeting a woman in a series of citizenship revocation measures implemented by the military authorities since the July 2023 coup, which has sparked widespread interest within political and human rights circles in the country.

According to the official decree, Mariama Jabrin, born on May 27, 1989 in Nguygme, faces charges including disseminating information that could disrupt public order, inciting rebellion, and collusion with foreign entities, charges that are currently being considered by the competent judicial authorities.

The military council expands procedures for withdrawing citizenship

The decision comes as part of a policy adopted by the current authorities to prosecute individuals accused of committing acts that harm state security or its strategic interests, based on legislation passed during 2024 that grants the government broader powers to confront what it describes as security threats.

Authorities had previously stripped a number of political figures and former officials of their Nigerien citizenship, including ministers in the government of ousted President Mohamed Bazoum, but the decision to target a woman for the first time represents a notable development in the course of these procedures.

Observers believe the move reflects the continued hardline approach of the ruling military council towards its opponents and critics, at a time when the country is still experiencing the repercussions of the military coup that ousted President Mohamed Bazoum in July 2023, who remains in detention to this day.

Decisions to revoke citizenship are generating increasing controversy both within and outside Niger, between those who consider them a legal tool to protect national security, and those who see them as a means to pressure political opponents and reduce the space for opposition in the country.