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Int'l Business Times
6 days ago
- Politics
- Int'l Business Times
NGOs Caught Between Juntas And Jihadists In Turbulent Sahel
NGOs in the violence-wracked Sahel region are dangerously caught between military juntas who accuse them of being spies, and jihadists who view them as symbols of Western influence. In the world terror epicentre, nearly 30 million people rely on humanitarian aid provided by non-governmental organisations and international bodies. "The need is mostly concentrated in the central Sahel" in junta-led Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger where assistance is critical to nearly 15 million people, according to the United Nations humanitarian agency, OCHA. Since seizing power, the juntas have made sovereignty and the fight against jihadists their priority, leaving NGOs and organisations that receive funding from abroad under increased pressure. In Burkina Faso, 21 NGOs had their permits to operate in the country revoked in the space of just one month between June and July, for what the authorities said were administrative reasons. Ten other associations were suspended for three months. "It's a tough blow but we are working to comply with legal requirements. For now, our activities are suspended," a member of one of the associations told AFP. In neighbouring Mali, NGOs financed or supported by former colonial power France, with whom the junta has cut ties, have been suspended since 2022. The military-led authorities also plan to impose a 10-percent levy on funding for NGOs and associations to use for Mali's "economic, social, environmental and cultural development", according to a draft law seen by AFP. Niger's junta has ordered NGOs to align their activities with its priorities, which it says are bolstering security, developing production centres to boost the economy and promoting good governance. In November, it withdrew the operating licences for French aid group Acted and a local association, Action for Wellbeing (ABPE). Interior Minister General Mohamed Toumba declared two months later that "many NGOs" in Niger were carrying out "subversion missions" through "support they often provide to terrorists". Then in February, the International Committee of the Red Cross was ordered to leave the west African country, where it had worked since 1990, accused of "collusion with terrorists". As they come under pressure from the juntas, NGOs must also contend with attacks by jihadist groups affiliated with Al-Qaeda or the Islamic State group, who see them as a threat to their power and ideology. The Sahel region was the epicentre of global "terrorism" for the second straight year in 2024, accounting for more than half of deaths put down to terror attacks worldwide, according to the Global Terrorism Index. At least 26 humanitarian workers were killed in the Sahel last year and many more wounded and kidnapped in 116 security incidents, OCHA said. "Our operations are now limited to a few cities. To transport staff or supplies, for example, we prefer air transport, which generates extra costs at a time when we are struggling to mobilise resources," a Burkinabe humanitarian worker, speaking on condition of anonymity due to security concerns, told AFP. "Many NGOs are now present on the ground thanks to their local staff, which minimises risks," a Nigerien NGO worker said. In October, Doctors Without Borders (MSF) stopped working in the large northern Burkinabe town of Djibo, which is surrounded by jihadists, following attacks targeting its health centres and offices. A few years earlier the medical charity had been forced to leave the southeast Nigerien town of Maine Soroa near the border with Nigeria due to raids by Boko Haram jihadists in August 2020. "NGOs are targeted because extremist groups are seeking to establish themselves as legitimate alternative authorities," said Charlie Werb, an analyst at risk advisory company Alert:24. "They want to supplant the state, which means not only pushing out the state itself from territory, but also organisations deemed to be providing services on its behalf," he told AFP. The Group for the Support of Islam and Muslims, known by its Arabic initials JNIM, an Islamist outfit affiliated with Al-Qaeda that is active in Mali, Niger and Burkina Faso, "has stated that it will only allow NGOs to operate in areas under its control so long as they don't carry out activity that goes against their religious principles", Werb said. NGOs have had armed escorts imposed on them by the juntas purportedly to ensure their safety, but humanitarian workers believe the move is mostly designed to keep track of their activities. "Conducting our activities under military escort can hinder our actions and expose us to one of the belligerents," the Burkinabe aid worker said. Juntas in Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger have made the fight against jihadists one of their priorities AFP Infographic with map of Western and Central Africa showing instances of political violence by Islamic State groups and Al-Qaeda-affiliated Group for the Support of Islam and Muslims (JNIM), according to ACLED data for one year up to June 6, 2025 AFP
Business Insider
29-06-2025
- Politics
- Business Insider
Breakaway Sahel state launches consultative council to steer post-coup reforms
The Republic of Niger has officially launched its Consultative Council for Refoundation (CCR), marking another milestone in the country's ongoing political transition. Niger has launched its Consultative Council for Refoundation (CCR) as part of a political transition process. The inaugural session for the CCR took place at the Mahatma Gandhi International Conference Center in Niamey. The council will provide recommendations to the ruling National Transitional Council and transitional government. Sputnik Africa reports that the launch ceremony of the nation's consultative council was held at the Mahatma Gandhi International Conference Center in Niger's capital, Niamey. Minister of the Interior, Major General Mohamed Toumba, addressed the gathering, thanking attendees for their presence at what he described as a historic event. He also congratulated the council members, reminding them of their mission and the high expectations placed upon them by the Nigerien people. The CCR was established by a decree signed by Transitional President General Abdourahmane Tiani. The council held its inaugural session on Saturday, June 28, 2025. It has been tasked with offering recommendations to both the ruling National Transitional Council (CNSP) and the transitional government as part of the country's broader refoundation process. Functioning as a transitional legislative body, the CCR is made up of representatives from various sectors of Niger society. Its input is expected to play a key role in shaping upcoming political, economic, and social reforms, and in paving the way for a return to constitutional order. Burkina Faso has expressed strong support for Niger's transitional process through a high-level delegation that participated in the CCR launch. Led by Dr. Ousmane Bougouma, President of Burkina Faso's Transitional Legislative Assembly, the delegation arrived in Niamey on Friday, June 27, 2025, and was welcomed by Dr. Mamadou Harouna Djingarey, head of the CCR. The Burkinabe parliament described the visit as a show of solidarity and a move to strengthen parliamentary diplomacy within the Alliance of Sahel States (AES). Dr. Bougouma stressed the importance of regional unity in backing Niger's transitional goals.
Ya Biladi
22-06-2025
- Politics
- Ya Biladi
UNHRC criticizes Algeria for mass expulsions of sub-Saharan migrants
The United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) opened its 59th regular session on June 16, running through July 9, at the Palais des Nations in Geneva. During an interactive dialogue with the Special Rapporteur on the human rights of migrants, Gehad Madi, several participants denounced Algeria's mass expulsions of sub-Saharan migrants. A representative of the Network for Training, Research, and Action on African Migrations strongly condemned what she described as inhumane collective expulsions carried out by Algerian authorities. «Since 2024, many migrants, including women and children, have been abandoned in the Sahara Desert without water, food, or humanitarian aid. These practices are systematic and represent serious violations of international law and humanitarian conventions», she said. The Network also raised alarm over the growing number of mass disappearances of migrants and their exploitation by human trafficking networks, particularly in Libya, all unfolding in a climate of impunity. In light of what it called a catastrophic situation, the organization urged the countries concerned—including Algeria—to «strengthen regional cooperation to better protect migrants, establish effective mechanisms to search for and identify missing persons, and prioritize the protection of vulnerable groups, especially women and children». «Algeria is not only violating migrants' rights, it is also directly endangering thousands of lives», the Network added. In 2024, Algeria expelled more than 30,000 irregular migrants to Niger, up from 26,000 in 2023. These deportations have been condemned by the authorities in Niamey. Niger's Minister of the Interior, General Mohamed Toumba, expressed his outrage in April during a meeting with the director of the International Organization for Migration (IOM), stating that the expulsions «violate the principles of good cooperation and international treaties. These actions are regrettable and unacceptable». According to the NGO Alarme Phone Sahara, more than 16,000 irregular migrants—including women and children—have been expelled from Algeria to Niger since April. Meanwhile, Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebboune said on April 26 during a visit to Béchar that he was open to regularizing undocumented sub-Saharan migrants, «provided their entry into the country is regulated».
Ya Biladi
21-06-2025
- Politics
- Ya Biladi
UNHRC criticizes Algeria for mass expulsions of sub-Saharan migrants
The United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) opened its 59th regular session on June 16, running through July 9, at the Palais des Nations in Geneva. During an interactive dialogue with the Special Rapporteur on the human rights of migrants, Gehad Madi, several participants denounced Algeria's mass expulsions of sub-Saharan migrants. A representative of the Network for Training, Research, and Action on African Migrations strongly condemned what she described as inhumane collective expulsions carried out by Algerian authorities. «Since 2024, many migrants, including women and children, have been abandoned in the Sahara Desert without water, food, or humanitarian aid. These practices are systematic and represent serious violations of international law and humanitarian conventions», she said. The Network also raised alarm over the growing number of mass disappearances of migrants and their exploitation by human trafficking networks, particularly in Libya, all unfolding in a climate of impunity. In light of what it called a catastrophic situation, the organization urged the countries concerned—including Algeria—to «strengthen regional cooperation to better protect migrants, establish effective mechanisms to search for and identify missing persons, and prioritize the protection of vulnerable groups, especially women and children». «Algeria is not only violating migrants' rights, it is also directly endangering thousands of lives», the Network added. In 2024, Algeria expelled more than 30,000 irregular migrants to Niger, up from 26,000 in 2023. These deportations have been condemned by the authorities in Niamey. Niger's Minister of the Interior, General Mohamed Toumba, expressed his outrage in April during a meeting with the director of the International Organization for Migration (IOM), stating that the expulsions «violate the principles of good cooperation and international treaties. These actions are regrettable and unacceptable». According to the NGO Alarme Phone Sahara, more than 16,000 irregular migrants—including women and children—have been expelled from Algeria to Niger since April. Meanwhile, Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebboune said on April 26 during a visit to Béchar that he was open to regularizing undocumented sub-Saharan migrants, «provided their entry into the country is regulated».
Libya Review
06-05-2025
- Politics
- Libya Review
Libya Deports Hundreds of Migrants to Niger
A Nigerien human rights organisation, Alarm Phone Sahara, reported that at least 783 migrants – most of them Nigerien nationals, including women and minors – were deported from Libya and returned to remote desert towns in northern Niger between 28 March and 25 April. The deportees remain stranded, as Niger's authorities refuse to allow them entry. The organisation revealed that the migrants had mostly been held in Libyan detention centres before being forcibly expelled. They were left in isolated towns such as Madama, Lataye, and Seguedine, all located in the desert region of Kawar, where access to humanitarian aid is limited. Alarm Phone Sahara confirmed one fatality among the 407 migrants in the latest convoy arriving in Madama on 25 April. This group included 10 Burkinabè and 7 Nigerians. The organisation also expressed deep concern over migrants reportedly stranded in the desert after their vehicle broke down, exposed to extreme weather without adequate resources. According to the group, Libyan security forces are pushing migrants southwards from areas under the control of the eastern-based General Command. Migrants are reportedly rounded up during public raids, placed on trucks, and either deported directly to southern Libya or detained before forced transfer to Niger. Testimonies gathered by the group describe strict controls along the Libya-Niger border, with Niger opposing the entry of non-Nigerien deportees and threatening to return them to Libya. The deportations sparked strong condemnation from Niger's Interior Minister Mohamed Toumba during an April meeting with an International Organization for Migration (IOM) delegation. Toumba labelled the expulsions 'unacceptable' and said they violated international cooperation norms. Since the July 2023 coup, Niger's junta repealed anti-human trafficking law 036/2015, prompting increased irregular migration flows to Libya and Algeria. The EU suspended its migration cooperation with Niger after the coup. Tags: DeportationImmigrationlibyamigrantsNiger
