RSF - Reporters sans frontières
RSF - Reporters sans frontières
10/06/2026 | Press release | Archived content
Moussa Kaka is alive and being held by Nigerien authorities, says justice minister — a completely arbitrary detention
After weeks of silence, Niger's justice minister confirmed in an address to the United Nations that the country's authorities are holding journalist Moussa Kaka in custody. No further information has been provided about his fate, his condition, his place of detention, or the reason or legal grounds for his detention. Reporters Without Borders (RSF) considers Moussa Kaka a victim of an enforced disappearance and demands that Niger's authorities, who are responsible for the journalist's physical and psychological safety, to immediately release him.
"Moussa Kaka is alive," Justice and Human Rights Minister Alio Daouda told RSF on Tuesday, 6 October, confirming remarks he had made a few days earlier, on 25 September, during Niger's Universal Periodic Review before the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva, Switzerland. In response to a remark by a representative of the African Meeting for the Defence of Human Rights (RADDHO), the minister said that the journalist had allegedly "committed an offence", adding that he was "being detained" and would "answer before the courts".
Moussa Kaka, director of Radio Télévision Saraounia, has been missing since 31 August 2026. The renowned journalist, who has 40 years of experience, disappeared two days after a mutiny at several military facilities in Niamey, Niger's capital. After leaving his office in the Kalley Est neighbourhood, the former correspondent for Radio France Internationale (RFI) and RSF was expected to return to his home in the Lossogoungou neighbourhood. He never arrived, and his personal vehicle has still not been found.
"The statement by the Justice and Human Rights Minister lifts the veil that had shrouded Moussa Kaka's enforced disappearance. While indicating that the journalist is alive, the Nigerien authorities confirmed their connection to his disappearance, which has lasted for more than a month. They have, however, provided no information about where he is being held, or about the reason or legal grounds for his detention. RSF considers that Moussa Kaka remains the victim of an enforced disappearance and calls on the authorities to end this intolerable situation by releasing him immediately.
Sadibou Marong
Director, RSF Sub-Saharan Africa
RSF recalls that the arrest of an individual by state agents followed by refusal to give information on the fate or whereabouts of the disappeared person constitutes an enforced disappearance under Article 2 of the International Convention for the Protection of All Persons from Enforced Disappearance, which Niger has ratified.
The Nigerien authorities are responsible for the enforced disappearance and arbitrary detention of Moussa Kaka and they must immediately put an end to the situation.
Following RSF's appeal on 28 September to the UN Working Group on Enforced or Involuntary Disappearances, the Committee on Enforced Disappearances called on Niger on Monday, 2 October, to immediately clarify Moussa Kaka's fate and whereabouts. On 16 September, RSF had also appealed to Ourveena Geereesha Topsy-Sonoo, the African Commission on Human and Peoples' Rights' Special Rapporteur on Freedom of Expression and Access to Information.
Published on 06.10.2026
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