Concerns rise over Jihadists resurgence in Niger

Fears are high in Africa over possible capture of power by the dreaded Sahel jihadists which have contended with the government and fiercely engaged multinational military operations in Niger across years.

With the coup that ousted the Nigerien democratically elected government and the withdrawal of French troops following sour relationship between the colonial masters and the coup putchists, Islamic bandits in the country have risen boldly against the military government.

The jihadists on Monday launched attacks on the military with improvised explosive devices and kamikaze vehicles, leading to death of 29 soldiers.

The Nigerien Defence Ministry stated that a counter attack by the soldiers also saw “several dozen terrorists” also killed. The counter offensive, according to the military, was launched on the jihadists near Niger’s border with Mali.

The Nigerien government stated that its army was carrying out operations aimed at neutralizing the threat posed by al-Qaeda and the Islamic State (IS) group when troops came under attack.

The statement indicated that the attack on the soldiers was coordinated with external forces. It explained that “communications from the terrorists, who were forced to withdraw, have been intercepted,” indicating that the attackers “benefited from outside expertise.”

The recent uptick in jihadist attacks in Niger has been linked to a security vacuum after soldiers were reportedly recalled to the capital, Niamey, to guard the coup leaders.

Last Thursday, hundreds of militants riding motorbikes killed 12 soldiers in south-western Niger.

At least 17 soldiers were killed last month in another attack near the border with Burkina Faso.

There have also been a surge in jihadist and rebel violence in neighbouring Mali following the departure of French troops, and a UN force winding down operations at the request of the junta.

Mali is now relying on the Russian mercenary group Wagner to fight the jihadists.

Last month, the military leaders of Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger signed a security pact pledging to help each other to fight the militants or any external aggression.

The Oracle Today reports that jihadist attacks on the Nigerien soldiers have escalated after the new military government entered bitter altercation with colonial France and demanded the exit of the European forces stationed against Islamic insurrection in the country.

With the exit of the French forces and resurgence of jihadist attacks on Nigerien soldiers, fears are high over the possibility further destabilization of the country and possible toppling of the military government by amorphous bandits.

Waves of crime spreading from the Sahel Africa are delivering serious impacts on Nigeria and other West African countries that suffer crime and insurgency spilling from Niger, Mali, Sudan and other volatile countries.

Refugee situation in Nigeria and other neighboring countries would also worsen should the situation in Niger gets worse.

Reports of Jihadist attacks on soldiers have risen since the military seized power from deposed President Mohamed Bazoum’s government as security situation worsened despite the presence of French forces who had been fighting the insurgency which spilled over from Mali in 2015.

But following the condemnation of the coup by France, the Nigerien junta declared dispute and demanded withdrawal of some 1,500 French troops and its ambassador from Niger.

Last week, France’s ambassador left Niger after being blockaded in the French embassy for several weeks on the orders of the junta.