Niger has provisionally stripped former Prime Minister Ouhoumoudou Mahamadou and four other people of their nationality.
President Abdourahamane Tiani signed the decree on September 17, according to Niger’s state-run Agence Nigérienne de Presse.
The decision targets five Nigeriens currently living outside the country.
Niger nationality decision targets former officials
The other affected individuals are Amadou dit Ange Barou Chekaraou, Oumarou Moussa Ibrahim, Ousmane Abdoul Moumouni and Boubacar Seyni Souley.
Chekaraou, Ibrahim and Moumouni previously served as advisers to former President Mohamed Bazoum.
Bazoum was removed from power in a military takeover in July 2023.
According to the decree, authorities accuse the five men of several offences.
These include alleged collusion with foreign powers and activities considered harmful to state security.
However, the accusations listed in the decree have not been reported as criminal convictions.
Niger expands use of security database
The government used a security mechanism introduced in 2024 to make the decision.
The system created a national database for individuals, groups and organisations suspected of terrorism-related offences. It also covers activities authorities consider harmful to Niger’s strategic interests.
Since then, the government has used the mechanism in several cases involving former officials and political figures abroad.
According to Niger’s state news agency, 25 people have now been provisionally deprived of Nigerien nationality under the system.
Decision follows military unrest
The decree comes after military unrest in the capital, Niamey.
On August 29, mutinous soldiers attacked positions near the international airport and other government sites.
The unrest triggered hours of gunfire and explosions.
State television broadcasts were also briefly disrupted. Government forces later regained control of a key military airbase.
Niger reshapes foreign partnerships
Meanwhile, Niger has changed several of its foreign partnerships since the 2023 military takeover.
The country has reduced security cooperation with several Western governments. At the same time, it has strengthened ties with Russia.
However, commercial links with Western investors continue, particularly in mining.
The latest nationality decision comes as Niger continues to navigate political, security and diplomatic changes following the 2023 takeover.