Unlike its neighbours, Niger has made dialogue with violent extremist groups a central component of its counter‑terrorism strategy. On 10 February, the country suffered one of its deadliest attacks when gunmen—suspected of links to extremist groups—ambushed a military convoy in Banibangou, a community in the Tillabéri region. Seventeen soldiers were killed and 13 injured, ending months of relative calm. The violence had previously diminished after two special operations conducted in northern Tillabéri between July and October 2022, carried out by Niger with reinforcements from 250 French troops. Codenamed *Almahaou* (whirlwind in Zarma) and *Niya* (will in Hausa), these offensives targeted groups linked to al‑Qaeda and the Islamic State. The February attack underscores the limits of purely military actions and lends credence to Niger’s emphasis on dialogue.
In early 2022, Nigerien authorities recognised the need for talks with jihadist leaders in Tillabéri, inspired by defections from extremist groups and a decline in violence in the Diffa region after a disarmament and reintegration process launched in 2016. A total of 386 former Boko Haram fighters underwent deradicalisation and professional training. Niger’s long tradition of dialogue—evident in its successful management of Tuareg rebellions—has been institutionalised through the High Authority for the Consolidation of Peace, hosted within the Presidency, and the National Coordination Unit for Stabilisation and Disengagement Programmes, supervised by the Interior Ministry.
To prevent terrorist recruitment, the government initiated several talks in 2022 to foster intra‑ and inter‑communal dialogue for peace, reconciliation and social cohesion across various regions. Community mediation efforts culminated in a peace agreement between the Fulani and Zarma communities in Banibangou on 21 January 2023, a significant step because jihadist groups had long exploited the decades‑long conflict between these communities for recruitment. President Mohamed Bazoum has involved political, religious and civil‑society leaders, as well as security and administrative officials, demonstrating strong political will to disincentivise engagement with extremist groups and stabilise the region. His personal commitment, supported by an advisory team, has facilitated contact with several jihadists through community emissaries.
Recent research by the Institute for Security Studies (ISS) indicates that roughly 100 ex‑combatants are being gathered in the capital Niamey, pending transfer to a socio‑economic reintegration centre in Hamdallaye, Tillabéri. There they will undergo deradicalisation and receive training to become mechanics, welders, plumbers, carpenters or dressmakers. However, the dialogue process faces challenges. Interviewees told ISS Today that some community emissaries lack the necessary credibility and social influence, while more respected figures have been sidelined. Concerns also remain about effectively integrating ex‑combatants into their communities after release from the Hamdallaye centre.
By using dialogue, Niger is experimenting with an approach similar to those in Algeria and Mauritania, which have relied on negotiation to underpin a decade‑long protection against jihadist violence. To succeed, Niger should adopt a more inclusive strategy that involves a broader range of influential actors and improves coordination among institutions to avoid fragmented efforts. Ensuring that the dialogue process remains agile and draws lessons from the disarmament, demobilisation, repatriation, reintegration and resettlement experience in Diffa will minimise the risk of renewed recruitment by jihadist groups, including among ex‑combatants.
Niger’s strategy offers a model for Sahel and Gulf of Guinea countries grappling with violent extremism. A coordinated regional approach, inspired by Niger’s blend of dialogue and targeted military action, could increase pressure on terrorist groups and ultimately deprive them of human resources.
*Hassane Koné, Senior Researcher, and Fahiraman Rodrigue Koné, Senior Researcher, Sahel Project, ISS Regional Office for West Africa, the Sahel and Lake Chad Basin*
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