The ruling military council in Niger has approved a general mobilization plan aimed at combating what it describes as a long-standing insurgency by armed groups within the country.
The Nigerien government, led by the military council, stated in a release following a cabinet meeting on Friday that these measures are primarily driven by the "need to preserve the integrity of the national territory, protect the population," as well as safeguard "state institutions and vital interests from any internal or external threat."
The government emphasized that "individuals, properties, and services may be harnessed during the general mobilization to contribute to the defense of the homeland, in accordance with applicable legislation and laws."
This mobilization plan comes five years after Niger doubled the size of its army to 50,000 soldiers and raised the retirement age for officers from 47 to 52. The government is also urging citizens to make voluntary contributions to a fund established in 2023 to finance the purchase of military equipment and agricultural projects.
Shortly after seizing power, the military council requested the departure of French and American forces, who had been fighting armed groups, particularly in the western part of the country. Niger, along with Mali and Burkina Faso – all governed by military councils – has also established a joint force of 5,000 troops to combat armed groups.
Since the ousting of democratically elected President Mohamed Bazoum in a coup in July 2023, the military council in Niger has faced escalating attacks from Islamist armed groups on several fronts. For nearly a decade, the country has suffered from deadly attacks perpetrated by armed groups affiliated with al-Qaeda and the Islamic State, resulting in the deaths of nearly two thousand people since the beginning of the year.
The southeastern regions of the country are also under attack from Boko Haram and the Islamic State West Africa Province. The situation remains volatile.
