What to do if someone dies in Niger

Niger has been governed by a military junta since July 2023, when the Presidential Guard overthrew President Mohamed Bazoum. The CNSP (Conseil National pour la Sauvegarde de la Patrie) controls the country. FCDO advises against all but essential travel. Air France suspended Niamey service in the immediate aftermath of the coup. There is no resident British Embassy.

UK deaths in Niger are rare. The people most likely to need this guide are families of aid workers, NGO staff, journalists, and dual nationals.

First step

Call the FCDO Emergency Travel Line: 020 7008 5000 (24 hours). British Embassy Abuja, Nigeria has non-resident accreditation for Niger: +234 9 462 2100.

Do not travel to Niger. FCDO advises against all but essential travel to the entire country.

British Embassy Abuja: non-resident coverage

There is no British Embassy in Niger. All consular services come from the British Embassy in Abuja, Nigeria. The Embassy will advise on current conditions and consular capacity, and register the death for UK purposes.

The post-coup context

Before the July 2023 coup, Niger was a complex but functional repatriation destination. The coup changed the operating environment. The CNSP controls all government institutions including the Ministry of Public Health, civil status offices, and the Police Nationale. Administrative decisions reflect military authority priorities.

In practice, the civil registration process continues to function for routine deaths. Death certificates are issued through civil status offices. Police Nationale issues clearances. But the absence of independent oversight means delays can occur without explanation and without recourse.

The ECOWAS sanctions imposed after the coup (border closures, economic measures) were partially lifted in early 2024, which has normalised some international connections. However, the political context remains uncertain.

Armed group activity: conflict-affected regions

FCDO advises against all travel to multiple regions:

Tillabéri region: Borders Mali and Burkina Faso. Multiple Sahel armed groups active (JNIM, ISWAP-affiliated). Targeted attacks on security forces and international workers documented. Do not travel here.

Diffa region: Lake Chad basin. Boko Haram/ISWAP activity ongoing. Civilian casualties documented. Do not travel here.

Tahoua region north: Northern approaches to the Sahara. Armed group transit routes.

Northern desert: All areas near Libyan and Algerian borders. Arms trafficking routes, limited state presence.

For deaths in these areas, civilian body recovery is not achievable. FCDO and any specialist firm will assess whether specialist crisis channels are viable. In most cases they are not.

For deaths in Niamey and accessible areas

The sequence for a death in Niamey or other accessible areas:

1. PNTL attendance if non-natural — do not move body
2. Attending physician certifies cause of death
3. Civil status office issues the death certificate (acte de décès) in French
4. Police Nationale issues clearance
5. Ministry of Public Health issues export permit
6. Funeral director preparation
7. Cargo via Diori Hamani International Airport (NIM)

The main variables are: whether a CNSP-level clearance is required (unpredictable) and the current frequency of departures from NIM.

Document checklist

Routing

Diori Hamani International Airport (NIM), Niamey:

• Addis Ababa via Ethiopian Airlines — primary current route for UK cargo
• Casablanca via Royal Air Maroc — connecting via London
• Air France status variable — check current service

Ethiopian Airlines via Addis Ababa is the most reliable current UK cargo pathway.

What to do first

FCDO: 020 7008 5000. British Embassy Abuja: +234 9 462 2100.

Engage a specialist firm with West African Francophone experience and confirmed post-coup Niger contacts. Do not attempt to travel to Niger to assist with the process. All management must be done remotely.

Sources: UK FCDO Niger travel advice (gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/niger, updated 2024); British Embassy Abuja; ACLED Niger conflict data 2023-2024.