Niger: Anti-budget protest planned in Niamey January 28 /update 1

Event

Several civil society organizations are planning to hold a demonstration against the 2018 Finance Act in Niamey on Sunday, January 28. An associated march is expected to start at Place Tuomo and conclude at Place de la Concertation outside the National Assembly building; the precise route of the march is currently unknown but will likely follow the route of past related protest marches. Heightened security measures and associated traffic disruptions are expected along and near the protest and march route.

Context

Niger frequently experiences violent demonstrations. Both large and small protests occur regularly, often near government buildings, university campuses, or public parks. Many demonstrations have involved rock throwing and tire burning, especially at key intersections in Niamey.

However, similar protests took place in Niamey and other Nigerien cities on January 14 without major incident; around 1500 people reportedly participated in the demonstrations. The 2018 Finance Act stipulates the implementation of inheritance and land taxes, and raises taxes on goods and services.

Advice

Individuals in Niamey are advised to monitor developments to the situation, avoid all protests due to the risk of violence, and adhere to any instructions issued by the local authorities.

In general, individuals throughout Niger should exercise vigilance when visiting sites deemed particularly likely to be targeted by an attack (government buildings, prominent hotels, etc.) and report any suspicious objects or behavior to the authorities. Many Western governments advise their citizens against all travel to areas located in the north and west of the country, as well as areas along the Nigerian border to the south, due to the high risk of terrorist activity.​