Nigers Mahamid Arabs face human rights concerns in their treatment

Niger Rights Commission Appeals to President Over Alleged Abuses Against Mahamid Community

The African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights has sent an urgent appeal to Niger’s President Abdourahmane Tchiani, raising concerns about the treatment of the Arab Mahamid community in the southeastern Diffa region. The appeal, made public on November 9, was signed by three commission representatives, including the commissioner responsible for human rights in Niger and heads of working groups covering economic, social, and cultural rights.

According to reports, the Mahamid community has faced restrictions on access to basic services such as water, education, healthcare, and identity documents. The authorities have also accused some community members of obtaining nationality documents fraudulently, trafficking arms, and having links to armed groups around Lake Chad basin. However, these allegations have not been independently verified.

The commission’s appeal expresses concern over the reported restrictions on access to basic services and official documents. A document obtained by African Perceptions publication shows an Interior Ministry radio message instructing authorities to close schools and water facilities used by the Mahamid, require community members to pay full costs of healthcare, and stop issuing civil status documents.

The commission’s appeal is not a formal finding that the government has violated the community’s rights. However, it highlights the need for urgent attention to address the reported restrictions on access to basic services and official documents. The situation in Niger bears similarities to a previous dispute in 2006, when the government announced plans to expel Arabs from Diffa to Chad, which was later suspended after protests and negotiations.

The deadline for the community’s departure has not been officially confirmed, but reports suggest that December 31, 2026, has been set as a potential deadline. The African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights will continue to monitor the situation and provide updates as necessary.

Source: Al Jazeera