Niger faces unrelenting jihadist threat a year on from coup

(FILES) Supporters wave Nigerien’s flags as they rally in support of Niger’s junta in front of the National Assembly in Niamey on July 30, 2023. A year after overthrowing elected President Mohamed Bazoum, the military regime in power in Niger has increased its actions and speeches to regain its “sovereignty” but remains faced with recurring attacks from Sahelian jihadists. Since taking power on July 26, 2023, the junta led by General Abdourahamane Tiani, former head of the presidential guard, has completely reviewed its international partnerships. (Photo by AFP)

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(AFP) – A year after deposing elected president Mohamed Bazoum, Niger’s military rulers have been at pains to showcase their efforts aimed at restoring national “sovereignty” yet the country remains in thrall to jihadists.

Since seizing power on July 26 last year the new government led by General Abdourahamane Tiani, former head of the presidential guard, has totally reset its international partnerships.

It asked former colonial power France late last year to withdraw its troops stationed in the Sahel nation in order to fight jihadist groups.

By mid-September, the US contingent deployed there will also have packed its bags leaving behind notably their important drone base at Agadez in the north.

In contrast, Iran, Turkey and Russia — partners the government deems “sincere” in building ties — have been received with honours in the capital Niamey over the past 12 months.

Russia sent military instructors in April and May.

Now Niger “is in the process of recovering its sovereignty” and “unapologetically able to choose its strategic partners” within “the framework of a win-win partnership”, said Prime Minister Ali Mahaman Lamine Zeine, whose media presence is far more visible than General Tiani’s.

“The regime shows commitment to restoring Niger’s dignity and advocates balanced international cooperation,” added Mousoulmi Mallam Sita, who chairs the Nigerien Association for Civics and Growth (ANCC), which backs the new authorities.

On a regional level, Niger is at odds with Benin, which it claims wants to destabilise it by hosting “French bases” — something its neighbour denies.

The main consequence is the frozen state of Nigerien oil exports, which are supposed to bring the economy a breath of fresh air.

– Trial of strength –

Niger has, however, engaged in some rapprochement with another two neighbours, Burkina Faso and Mali, after coups there in recent years also saw the military seize power.

All three states have formed the Alliance of Sahel States (AES), their confederation turning its back at the start of this year on the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).

They accuse the regional bloc of being under the thumb of France and of not providing support against jihadism.

The standoff between Niamey and ECOWAS blew up following the coup as the bloc imposed tough sanctions while demanding Bazoum be restored to office.

For some weeks Niger even faced the threat of an armed intervention.

The sanctions were lifted in February and regular demands from the international community for Bazoum’s release have gradually faded away.

The deposed president remains trapped in his residence and his immunity has been lifted by a court created by the new government, paving the way for a trial on charges of “conspiracy against the authority of the state” and “high treason”.

Against that backdrop, aid from international organisations has resumed.

The World Bank has just approved 214 billion CFA francs ($350 million) to Niger and the IMF announced a $70-million payment.

– Jihadist threat –

On taking power, Tiani justified the coup by the “continual degradation of the security situation” in the country under the Bazoum administration.

Repeated waves of jihadist attacks have scarred Niger for more than a decade, both in the west towards Burkina Faso and Mali and also in the southeast near the border with Nigeria.

A year on from the coup Islamic State group and Al-Qaeda affiliates in the western region of Tillaberi are far from receding with the past few weeks alone seeing dozens of deaths in bloody ambushes and attacks between jihadists and the army.

Despite a large-scale military deployment civilians have not been spared the violence although official victim tallies are sporadic and independent data hard to obtain.

“The arrival of the military gave a glimpse of a rapid end to the attacks — but the country still mourns,” said Amadou Hassane, from Tera in Tillaberi.

“The authorities were (engaged) on several fronts and the terrorists took the opportunity to strike almost everywhere and sometimes hard,” said civil society official Ali Seyni.

The government has promised “an increase in (military) power” of the army thanks to the acquisition of equipment and an increase in manpower to 100,000 by 2030 compared with 25,000 in 2022.

It remains to be seen how long this “transition” will last.

General Tiani — who has never taken the oath of office — quickly indicated “three years maximum” after taking power.

But since then the authorities have remained silent on the subject.

The “inclusive national dialogue” Tiani has promised is also expected to outline the “priority areas” of future governance while determining the duration of the transition.

© Agence France-Press