Under attack? Niger faced with religious extremism and terrorism

This report by the Institute for Security Studies analyses the vulnerability and resilience of Niger in the face of rising religious extremism and terrorism following attacks in May 2013. It evaluates Niger's three-pronged national strategy—military, socioeconomic, and legal—and examines the effectiveness of regional cooperation frameworks in the Sahel-Saharan region.

• Niger experienced a series of unprecedented terrorist attacks in May 2013, including a double attack on 23 May targeting a military barrack in Agadez and an Areva nuclear plant in Arlit, followed by an attack on a civilian prison in Niamey on 31 May. These attacks were claimed by the Movement for Unity and Jihad in West Africa (MUJAO) and the 'Signatories in blood' katiba founded by Mokhtar Belmokhtar.
• Niger's vulnerability to terrorism is driven by its geography, bordering Mali, Libya, and Nigeria, and its economic fragility. The government is particularly concerned about the infiltration of Boko Haram from northern Nigeria into southern towns such as Diffa, Maradi, and Zinder, as well as the use of southern Libya as a safe haven for jihadists.
• Internal factors contributing to instability include high youth unemployment, corruption, and a lack of state presence in remote areas, which creates a vacuum that extremist organisations may exploit. However, some actors argue that Niger's tradition of Islamic tolerance, the role of traditional chieftains, and the separation of state and religion act as bulwarks against radicalism.
• The Nigerien government has implemented a military response focusing on asymmetric warfare, including the acquisition of Ukrainian-made Sukhoi Su-25 fighter aircraft to monitor mountainous northern regions. While this provides short-term order, the report notes it does not address structural causes of instability.
• To address root causes, Niger launched the Strategy for the Development and Security of the Sahel-Saharan Zones (SDS) in October 2012 with a provisional budget of 1,266 billion francs CFA (approx. €2.5 billion). The SDS focuses on security, economic opportunities, public services, governance, and the resettlement of returnees from Libya, Côte d’Ivoire, Nigeria, and Algeria, though implementation has been delayed by funding difficulties.
• Niger updated its legal framework on 27 January 2013 through three ordinances that established a counter-terrorism division and trial chamber within the Niamey Court of Appeal. The new penal code explicitly lists terrorism offences, such as nuclear attacks and hostage taking, with sanctions ranging from fines to capital punishment.
• Regional cooperation is described as fragile and often ineffective. While initiatives like the Fusion and Liaison Unit (UFL) and the General Staff Joint Operations Committee (CEMOC) exist, they are perceived by some as a 'paper tiger'. The report highlights a proliferation of overlapping external strategies for the Sahel, which may limit overall effectiveness.

APA

Zounmenou, D., Toupane, P. M., & Lidawo, K. (2013). Under attack? Niger faced with religious extremism and terrorism. Institute for Security Studies. https://issafrica.s3.amazonaws.com/site/uploads/ECOWAS7ENG17Oct2013.pdf

Chicago

Zounmenou, David, Paulin Maurice Toupane, and Kilo Lidawo. Under attack? Niger faced with religious extremism and terrorism. Institute for Security Studies, 2013. https://issafrica.s3.amazonaws.com/site/uploads/ECOWAS7ENG17Oct2013.pdf.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |last1=Zounmenou |first1=David |last2=Toupane |first2=Paulin Maurice |last3=Lidawo |first3=Kilo |title=Under attack? Niger faced with religious extremism and terrorism |publisher=Institute for Security Studies |date=September 2013 |url=https://issafrica.s3.amazonaws.com/site/uploads/ECOWAS7ENG17Oct2013.pdf |access-date=17 August 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{zounmenou2013under, author = {Zounmenou, David and Toupane, Paulin Maurice and Lidawo, Kilo}, title = {{Under attack? Niger faced with religious extremism and terrorism}}, institution = {Institute for Security Studies}, year = {2013}, month = sep, url = {https://issafrica.s3.amazonaws.com/site/uploads/ECOWAS7ENG17Oct2013.pdf}, urldate = {2026-08-17}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }