He is not a man of loud words. Anyone who listened to Moussa Tchangari speak at the medico conference on “The (Re-)Construction of the World” in 2021, who saw him in action at the Global Assembly in Frankfurt’s Paulskirche in 2023, or has read one of his interviews for medico knows that he presents his analysis in a calm, almost reserved tone. But even – or perhaps especially – quiet words can make an impact if they ring true. Time and again, he has brought the issues of corruption, social inequality and government responsibility into the public eye, be it in articles, books or public debates. But his voice has been silenced. On 3 December 2024, he was arrested in Niamey and remains in prison to this day.
Moussa Tchangari’s political activism dates back to the 1980s when he was a philosophy student. He was one of the co-founders of several organisations advocating for human rights and democratic participation. In 2005, he organised demonstrations in protest of the high cost of living, which more than 100,000 people joined. For many activists in West Africa, his thinking, rooted in Marxism, has become an important point of reference – especially since he maintains that change is only possible through public debate and social mobilisation. His work championing democracy and social justice combines political education with concrete support for people whose rights are being violated.
Time and again, his activism led to clashes with those in power. He faced repeated arrest for publicly criticising government policy or participating in protests. In spite of all this, he remained one of the few voices in the country to unflinchingly insist on democratic rights and the rule of law. Including in the face of the military regime that has controlled the country since July 2023 and is now detaining him. The authorities accuse him of “criminal conspiracy in connection with a terrorist enterprise”, “undermining national defence” and “conspiring against the state through intelligence activities with enemy forces”. If convicted, he even faces the death penalty in the worst-case scenario. The charges are blatantly politically motivated. Past attempts to secure his release have been in vain.
The international show of solidarity with him also attests to just how significant Moussa Tchangari’s voice is. For medico, he has been an important partner, friend and interlocutor for many years. His analyses of the multipolar world order, the Sahel region, migration, security policy and social conflicts have been an asset to our work, indeed often making it possible in the first place. Most importantly, though, he embodies a stance that is key for many partner organisations: a dogged commitment to rights and dignity – even in the face of the most difficult political conditions and the greatest risk.
Kerem Schamberger
