Niger’s military leaders initiate general mobilization to combat armed groups.
In a decisive move to bolster national security, Niger’s military government has enacted a general mobilization to confront rising threats from armed groups. This development comes on the heels of recent escalations in violence and instability in the Sahel region, underscoring the complexities of governance and security in a country grappling with external pressures and internal challenges. As the military seeks to reclaim control, it reflects broader trends across similar nations in the region where governance has been tested by security concerns.
Niger’s military rulers have recently approved a general mobilization and authorized the requisition of people and goods as part of intensifying efforts against armed groups operating throughout the country, according to an official statement. This significant decision, following a cabinet meeting, marks a considerable escalation by the military government that seized power in a July 2023 coup, which displaced the democratically elected president, Mohamed Bazoum.
The order specifies that “people, property, and services may be requisitioned during general mobilization to contribute to the defense of the homeland, in compliance with existing legislation”. The military government has stated that every citizen is required to respond promptly to any call-up or recall order to facilitate the defense measures in place.
Authorities assert that the new measures are essential to “preserve the integrity of the national territory” and “protect the population” amid ongoing threats from armed groups across several regions of Niger. The country finds itself embroiled in a deadly conflict fueled by fighters affiliated with al-Qaeda and the Islamic State (ISIL) group, which have claimed nearly 2,000 lives over the past decade, as reported by the Armed Conflict Location and Event Data Project (ACLED).
The southeast region of Niger has faced repeated assaults from Boko Haram and its offshoots, including ISIL affiliates, exacerbating the strains on Niger’s security forces. The mobilization order comes five years after Niger expanded its armed forces to approximately 50,000 troops and raised the retirement age for senior military officers from 47 to 52.
In the wake of the coup, Niger’s military rulers ordered the withdrawal of French and American troops who had previously assisted in counterterrorism efforts. Since then, Niger has sought to deepen security cooperation with neighboring Mali and Burkina Faso, both governed by military regimes. Together, these three Sahelian nations have formed a joint task force of 5,000 troops, framing it as a collective regional response to counter the threats posed by armed groups while distancing themselves further from Western alliances.
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