Disappearance of Niger journalist Moussa Kaka in Niamey sparks fears for press freedom
Nigerien journalist and media executive Moussa Kaka has been missing in Niamey since 31 August, the Committee to Protect Journalists says, after last being seen leaving work in his vehicle and then becoming unreachable.
The unexplained disappearance of Nigerien journalist Moussa Kaka in the capital, Niamey, is fuelling fresh concern over the safety of media workers in the country.
The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) reports that Kaka, CEO of Radio Télévision Saraounia and a former correspondent for Reporters Without Borders, has been missing since 31 August. According to CPJ, he was last seen that evening as he left work in his vehicle, which is also missing. His family has been unable to reach him by phone since then.
There has been no public statement from Niger’s authorities confirming his detention, announcing an investigation, or offering an alternative explanation for his disappearance. That silence leaves colleagues and press‑freedom advocates with few firm facts to work with and has heightened anxiety among other journalists.
Kaka’s position as the head of a broadcaster and his previous ties to international media organisations make this case especially visible. For reporters and editors in Niamey and beyond, the disappearance raises questions about how safe it is to pursue sensitive stories or criticism when a prominent colleague can vanish without an official account of what happened.
Key developments to watch now are whether Niger’s authorities open and publicise an investigation into Kaka’s disappearance, whether regional or international bodies press for information, and whether local outlets alter their coverage in ways that suggest the case is already affecting how they operate.
Sources
- OSINT