(MFWA/IFEX) – On 26 October 2007, Hamadou Boulama, editor-in-chief of “Alternative”, a bi-monthly Niamey-based independent newspaper, received an anonymous phone call in the newspaper’s office, threatening his life. A Media Foundation for West Africa (MFWA) correspondent reported that the threatening message sent to Boulama, also known as “Tcherno”, through his secretary at about 4:00 p.m. […]
(MFWA/IFEX) – On 26 October 2007, Hamadou Boulama, editor-in-chief of “Alternative”, a bi-monthly Niamey-based independent newspaper, received an anonymous phone call in the newspaper’s office, threatening his life.
A Media Foundation for West Africa (MFWA) correspondent reported that the threatening message sent to Boulama, also known as “Tcherno”, through his secretary at about 4:00 p.m. (local time), read: “I have read what he wrote about me. Tell him that I do not go to court to settle my problems with journalists. I am going to strike at him.”
The correspondent said it is not yet clear what prompted the threatening call but it was linked to stories published in the 24 October issue of the newspaper authored by Tcherno.
One of the stories was titled: “2009 Presidential election: Issoufou, Tandja’s heir apparent?” The journalist reported that Niger’s President was preparing to hand over power to the opposition leader, Issoufou Mahamadou in 2009.
The other story headlined: “Ibro Ayouba- Republic of Niger affair: David triumphs over Goliath”, relates the arbitrary posting of Ibro Ayouba, a customs colonel.
