The African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights has raised concerns about alleged restrictions affecting Niger’s Arab Mahamid community.
The commission has urged President Abdourahamane Tchiani to address reports of discrimination and restrictions on basic services in the southeastern Diffa region.
According to Al Jazeera, the concerns include access to drinking water, education, healthcare and identity documents.
The commission sent an urgent appeal on November 6 and made it public on November 9.
African Commission calls for action
Three representatives of the African Commission signed the appeal to Niger’s president.
They included the commissioner responsible for monitoring human rights in Niger.
The heads of two working groups also signed the document. Their responsibilities cover economic and social rights, Indigenous populations and minority communities.
The commission expressed concern about reports that Mahamid residents face restrictions on essential services.
However, its appeal does not establish that Niger’s government has committed human rights violations.
Instead, it calls attention to allegations that require further examination.
Mahamid community faces nationality disputes
The Mahamid are an Arab community with historical connections to Chad and Sudan.
Many families have lived in Niger’s Diffa region for generations.
However, disputes over nationality and identity documents have created tensions between some community members and local authorities.
According to Niger’s state news agency ANP, officials discussed these issues during a security meeting in Diffa on August 22.
The meeting also addressed cross-border movement, access to grazing land and local security concerns.
Authorities have accused some individuals of obtaining nationality documents through fraud or having links to armed groups.
However, these allegations have not been independently verified.
Diffa Governor Mahamadou Ibrahim Bagadoma also warned against holding the entire Arab community responsible for accusations involving particular individuals.
Reports allege restrictions on basic services
Nigerien publication African Perceptions reported obtaining an Interior Ministry message dated October 7.
The publication said the document instructed local authorities to restrict services used by the Mahamid community.
The alleged measures included closing schools and water facilities, limiting access to identity documents and requiring residents to cover healthcare costs.
The report also described instructions to withdraw existing identification documents.
However, Al Jazeera said it could not independently authenticate the document.
It also could not establish whether authorities had implemented the reported measures.
Therefore, the alleged restrictions remain unconfirmed.
Reports raise fears of possible expulsions
Separate reports have raised concerns that some Mahamid residents could face removal from Niger.
Chadian broadcaster Radio Ndarason Internationale reported that community representatives attended a meeting in Diffa on November 8.
According to the broadcaster, officials told them they had two months to leave the country.
Meanwhile, Nigerien publication La Roue de l’Histoire reported that authorities had set December 31 as a departure deadline.
However, neither outlet published a formal expulsion order.
Al Jazeera also said it could not confirm the decision, its legal basis or whether it would apply to the entire community.
As a result, the reports do not establish that a government-wide expulsion order exists.
Previous dispute adds to concerns
Niger faced a similar dispute involving Arab residents in Diffa in 2006.
At the time, authorities announced plans to expel members of the community to neighbouring Chad.
However, the operation was suspended following protests and negotiations.
The earlier dispute provides context for the concerns raised by the African Commission.
For now, the commission’s appeal has renewed attention on the rights of Mahamid residents.
Further clarification from Nigerien authorities will be important in establishing whether the reported restrictions or departure instructions have any official basis.