Niger’s Escalating Crisis

By Darius Spearman (africanelements)

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Jihadist Violence Surges in Niger

The Sahel region, a vast expanse of land stretching across Africa, has become a hotbed of violence and instability. Jihadist groups, including the Islamic State Sahel Province (ISSP) and Jama’at Nasr al-Islam wal Muslimin (JNIM), are escalating their attacks, particularly in Niger. Human Rights Watch (HRW) recently released a report detailing a disturbing increase in attacks on civilians by Islamic State-affiliated militants in Niger (africanews.com). These groups exploit weak state presence and inter-ethnic tensions to expand their influence and launch brutal attacks on both military and civilian populations (studies.aljazeera.net).

The situation has worsened significantly since the July 2023 coup in Niger. Jihadist violence has more than doubled in the 18 months following the coup, with approximately 1,599 deaths reported, compared to 770 under democratic rule (genocidewatch.com). This alarming increase highlights the junta’s failure to curb the surge in attacks. In fact, the junta’s inability to counter jihadist operations, coupled with its expulsion of Western media, has obscured the true extent of this devastating crisis (genocidewatch.com).

Understanding the Islamic State Sahel Province

The Islamic State Sahel Province (ISSP), also known as the Islamic State in the Greater Sahara (ISGS), is a prominent jihadist group operating in the Sahel region. Its origins are deeply rooted in the broader jihadist insurgency that began in Mali in 2012 (acleddata.com). This group is a faction of the Islamic State and has been in open conflict with another major jihadist group, Jama’at Nasr al-Islam wal Muslimin (JNIM), for territorial control and influence (acleddata.com). The rivalry between these two groups escalated into open conflict around early 2020, particularly in central Mali and the Liptako-Gourma region, which spans Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger (acleddata.com).

The ISSP’s ideology is rooted in an extremist interpretation of Islamic principles, which they use to justify their violent actions. They aim to establish governance structures based on their strict interpretation of Shari’a law, often through brutal means. Both Islamic State and al-Qaeda-affiliated armed groups are responsible for grave violations of international religious freedom in their areas of control, including executing individuals based on their beliefs (uscirf.gov). These groups present themselves as protectors against state forces and other actors, thereby consolidating their influence over civilian populations increasingly trapped in areas under jihadist control (acleddata.com).

The Tillabéri Region: A Strategic Hotspot

The Tillabéri region in western Niger is a critical area, frequently mentioned as a hotspot for these escalating attacks. Its strategic significance stems from its location within the Liptako-Gourma region, a tri-border area where Niger, Mali, and Burkina Faso converge (studies.aljazeera.net). This vast area is characterized by porous borders, making it easy for extremist groups to move freely and launch cross-border attacks. Furthermore, the Liptako-Gourma region is rich in natural resources, including gold, manganese, and uranium, which attracts numerous local and international actors and provides resources for militant groups (studies.aljazeera.net).

The militants exploit the weak presence of state authority and existing inter-ethnic tensions within the Tillabéri region to expand their influence. This allows them to recruit new members and establish a foothold, further destabilizing the area (studies.aljazeera.net). The recent HRW report indicates that IS Sahel executed over 127 civilians in five attacks in the Tillabéri region between May and July 2025 (africanews.com). In one particularly horrific incident in June, IS Sahel fighters killed over 70 worshippers in a mosque in Manda village, wounding at least 20 others (africanews.com). The extremist group also looted and burned homes, leaving communities devastated (africanews.com).

The Niger Coup’s Impact on Security

The military coup in Niger in July 2023, which overthrew the democratically elected government, has been a critical turning point for the escalation of violence. While the specific details of the coup’s causes and key actors are not fully elaborated, the broader trend in the Sahel shows that military coups often lead to deteriorating security situations. For instance, fatalities linked to militant Islamist groups are more than two and a half times the levels seen in 2020 when the first military coup in Mali occurred (africacenter.org). Subsequent coups in Burkina Faso and Niger have similarly been followed by increased insecurity (africacenter.org).

This suggests that the coup in Niger likely weakened existing governance structures, created power vacuums, and diverted crucial resources away from security efforts. Witnesses reported that Nigerien armed forces did not do enough to prevent these attacks or protect villagers, despite requests for protection (africanews.com). The junta’s actions, such as expelling Western media, further complicate the situation by limiting transparency and international scrutiny of the security crisis (genocidewatch.com). This lack of accountability and the military’s struggle to contain the violence leave civilians vulnerable to the brutal tactics of jihadist groups.

War Crimes and International Law

The attacks carried out by IS Sahel amount to apparent war crimes and violate international humanitarian law (IHL). War crimes are serious violations of the laws of war, which apply during armed conflicts. IHL aims to limit the effects of armed conflict for humanitarian reasons and protects people who are not, or are no longer, participating in hostilities. Specific violations that could constitute war crimes in the context of the Sahel include targeting civilians, indiscriminate attacks, and attacks on civilian infrastructure (acleddata.com).

The implications of these violations are severe, potentially leading to prosecution by international bodies like the International Criminal Court. Beyond legal ramifications, these violations cause immense humanitarian suffering and further destabilize the region. Human Rights Watch shared its findings with the Nigerien justice ministry in August 2025, but unfortunately, no response has been received (africanews.com). This lack of response raises concerns about accountability and the protection of human rights in Niger.

The Broader Sahel Crisis

The Sahel region as a whole is experiencing a deepening crisis. In 2024, violent extremist organizations (VEOs) like JNIM and ISSP escalated attacks across Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger, deliberately targeting civilians and capitals (solaceglobal.com). The Sahel accounted for over half of all militant Islamist fatalities in Africa in 2024, underscoring the severity of the situation (northafricapost.com). This violence is not confined to the central Sahel; it is shifting southward and westward, increasingly threatening the security of coastal West African nations like Benin, Togo, and Ghana (northafricapost.com).

Jama’at Nasr al-Islam wal Muslimin (JNIM), a major jihadist group affiliated with al-Qaeda, also plays a significant role in the Sahel conflict. JNIM has a strong presence in central Mali and a large part of Burkina Faso (acleddata.com). The group has been in open conflict with ISSP for territorial control, especially in the Liptako-Gourma region (acleddata.com). Both groups exploit weak state presence and inter-ethnic tensions to expand their influence and conduct attacks against state forces and civilians (studies.aljazeera.net). Militant Islamist groups now control more territory and transportation arteries in Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger than at any point since the insurgencies began over a decade ago (africacenter.org).

Data and Accountability

Organizations like Human Rights Watch (HRW) and ACLED (Armed Conflict Location & Event Data Project) are crucial for understanding the scope of the violence. ACLED is a non-governmental organization that collects and analyzes data on political violence and protest events globally (acleddata.com). Its methodology involves systematically coding information from various sources, including local and international media, humanitarian agencies, and research publications. This approach provides detailed, disaggregated data on conflict events, including the actors involved, types of violence, and locations. The reliability of ACLED data is generally considered high due to its systematic approach and broad sourcing, making it a frequently cited resource for conflict analysis (acleddata.com).

Despite the efforts of these organizations to document the atrocities, the question of justice and accountability remains largely unanswered. What steps, if any, have Nigerien authorities or international bodies taken to investigate or prosecute the apparent war crimes committed by ISSP? The lack of response from the Nigerien justice ministry to HRW’s findings is concerning (africanews.com). This silence suggests a significant challenge in holding perpetrators accountable and providing justice for the victims.

Challenges in Civilian Protection

The protection of civilians in the Tillabéri region and across the Sahel remains a significant challenge. While specific measures attempted or proposed for civilian protection in the Tillabéri region are not detailed, the broader context highlights the overall failure of various interventions to achieve lasting stability. Successive military interventions, including French-led operations like Operation Serval and Barkhane, United Nations peacekeeping missions like MINUSMA, and regional forces such as the G5 Sahel Force, have not been sufficient to curb the violence (acleddata.com).

This suggests that the measures implemented have been inadequate due to several factors. These include the transnational nature of the conflict, the adaptability of armed groups, and the inherent challenges of state presence and governance in affected areas. The Nigerien armed forces and the ruling junta face immense difficulties in protecting civilians amidst escalating jihadist violence. The political instability following the coup likely impacts military effectiveness, resource allocation, and international cooperation. The junta’s actions, such as expelling Western media, may further isolate the country and hinder transparency regarding the security situation and the military’s performance (genocidewatch.com).

The Humanitarian Crisis and Regional Impact

The escalating violence has severe humanitarian consequences for civilians in the conflict-affected areas. While specific details on displacement, access to aid, and living conditions are not fully elaborated, the widespread attacks, looting, and burning of homes indicate a dire situation (africanews.com). Communities are increasingly trapped in areas under jihadist control, facing constant threats to their lives and livelihoods (acleddata.com).

The escalation of jihadist violence in Niger also has significant implications for regional stability. The shift of militant Islamist violence southward and westward increasingly threatens the security of coastal West African nations like Benin, Togo, and Ghana (northafricapost.com). This expansion of conflict zones creates new challenges for regional security forces and humanitarian organizations. The interconnectedness of the Sahelian states means that instability in one country can quickly spill over into its neighbors, creating a domino effect of violence and displacement.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Darius Spearman has been a professor of Black Studies at San Diego City College since 2007. He is the author of several books, including Between The Color Lines: A History of African Americans on the California Frontier Through 1890. You can visit Darius online at africanelements.org.