Terror Attacks Rise In Niger As Junta Focuses On Regime Security – Eurasia Review

Report on Escalating Violence in Niger and its Impact on Sustainable Development Goals

Executive Summary

A significant escalation in terrorist violence has been recorded in Niger following the military coup in 2023. The increase in attacks by armed groups affiliated with the Islamic State (IS) and Jama’at Nusrat al-Islam wal-Muslimin (JNIM) has resulted in a severe humanitarian crisis and a substantial regression in the nation’s progress towards key Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The violence directly undermines SDG 16 (Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions), with cascading negative effects on SDG 4 (Quality Education), SDG 5 (Gender Equality), and SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities).

Violation of SDG 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions

The core objective of SDG 16, to promote peaceful and inclusive societies, is under direct assault in Niger. State institutions have demonstrated a diminished capacity to protect civilians, particularly in rural regions, leading to a breakdown of peace and security.

• Increased Violence and Death Rates: Since the 2023 coup, nearly 1,700 Nigeriens have been killed in terrorist-related violence, more than double the number recorded under the previous government. A single attack on a mosque in Manda on June 20 resulted in the deaths of 70 worshippers.
• Institutional Weakness: The ruling junta has been criticized for prioritizing control of the capital, Niamey, while leaving rural communities in regions like Tillabéri largely unprotected.
• Erosion of Regional Partnerships: Niger’s withdrawal from cooperative security frameworks, including the G5 Sahel group and the Multinational Joint Task Force, has weakened institutional responses to cross-border terrorism, creating a vacuum for armed groups to operate with impunity. This contravenes the spirit of SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals).

Setbacks for Social and Economic Development Goals

The conflict has created a compounding crisis, severely impeding progress on fundamental social and economic goals.

Impact on SDG 5: Gender Equality

Violence against women and girls has been systematically used as a tactic by armed groups, representing a grave violation of SDG 5. Reports from affected communities indicate that:

• Women are subjected to forced marriage with militants.
• Women and girls are taken as sex slaves.
• The constant threat of violence creates an environment of horror and humiliation, stripping women of their fundamental rights and security.

Impact on SDG 4: Quality Education

Armed groups are actively targeting educational infrastructure, directly obstructing the achievement of SDG 4. The destruction of schools denies children access to learning and creates an environment of fear, making safe and inclusive education unattainable for many communities.

Geopolitical Shifts and Security Deterioration

A series of strategic decisions by the ruling junta has correlated with an acceleration of violence, further compromising national stability and the achievement of the SDGs.

1. The junta mandated the withdrawal of French and American military forces, who were previously involved in counter-terrorism operations.
2. Security assistance was subsequently sought from Russian mercenaries, now operating as the Africa Corps.
3. Following these shifts, terrorism-related deaths have reportedly accelerated, mirroring trends observed in neighboring Mali and Burkina Faso under similar arrangements.

The Nigerien military appears outmatched without its former international partners, leaving communities vulnerable to coordinated and lethal attacks on both civilian and military targets.

Analysis of Sustainable Development Goals in the Article

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

• SDG 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions

  This is the most central SDG in the article. The text is almost entirely focused on the breakdown of peace and security in Niger, characterized by escalating violence, terrorism, and the failure of state institutions to protect civilians. The article details attacks on worshippers, rising death tolls, and the inability of the military junta to control the situation, all of which are core concerns of SDG 16.

• SDG 5: Gender Equality

  The article specifically highlights violence against women and girls as a tactic used by terrorists. This directly connects the conflict to the goals of gender equality and the elimination of gender-based violence.

• SDG 4: Quality Education

  The article mentions the destruction of schools by terrorist groups. This action directly undermines the provision of safe and accessible education, linking the conflict to the objectives of SDG 4.

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

• SDG 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions

  1. Target 16.1: Significantly reduce all forms of violence and related death rates everywhere.

     The article is replete with evidence of the failure to meet this target. It cites numerous statistics on death rates, such as the slaughter of “70 worshippers,” the killing of “nearly 1,700 Nigeriens since military leaders overthrew President Mahmoud Bazoum in 2023,” and the fact that the death toll is “more than double the 770 deaths under Bazoum.”

  2. Target 16.a: Strengthen relevant national institutions, including through international cooperation, for building capacity at all levels, in particular in developing countries, to prevent violence and combat terrorism and crime.

     The article illustrates a regression on this target. It describes how the junta has weakened international cooperation by forcing “French then American troops to leave the country” and by pulling Niger out of “the G5 Sahel group” and “the Multinational Joint Task Force.” It also highlights the weakness of national institutions, noting the junta “appears to be focused on protecting the capital, Niamey, at the expense of the countryside,” leaving communities unprotected.

• SDG 5: Gender Equality

  1. Target 5.2: Eliminate all forms of violence against all women and girls in the public and private spheres, including trafficking and sexual and other types of exploitation.

     This target is directly addressed through the testimony of a resident, Hadjara Zibo, who states that women “were forced to marry terrorists or taken as sex slaves.” This describes specific forms of sexual violence and exploitation that this target aims to eliminate.

• SDG 4: Quality Education

  1. Target 4.a: Build and upgrade education facilities that are child, disability and gender sensitive and provide safe, non-violent, inclusive and effective learning environments for all.

     The article shows a direct assault on this target by stating that as part of their attacks, “terrorists destroy schools.” This action explicitly undermines the goal of providing safe learning environments for children.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

• For Target 16.1 (Reduce violence and death rates):

  • Conflict-related death toll: The article provides specific numbers that serve as direct indicators of violence levels. Examples include: “70 worshippers” killed in one attack, “nearly 1,700 Nigeriens” killed since the 2023 coup, and a comparison of “770 deaths under Bazoum” versus the higher number under the junta. These figures are quantitative measures of the death rate.
  • Number of violent attacks: The article describes multiple specific events, such as the mosque attack, “coordinated attacks” that killed 27 soldiers, an ambush that killed “14 border patrol soldiers,” and an attack on a baptism ceremony that killed “22 people.” The frequency of these events is an indicator of the level of violence.

• For Target 16.a (Strengthen institutions and cooperation):

  • Participation in international/regional security agreements: The article implies this indicator by noting Niger’s withdrawal from “the G5 Sahel group” and “the Multinational Joint Task Force.” Membership and active participation in such bodies can be used to measure international cooperation.
  • Presence of international security partners: The departure of “French then American troops” is a clear indicator of a reduction in international security partnerships.

• For Target 5.2 (Eliminate violence against women):

  • Reported incidents of sexual and gender-based violence in conflict: The testimony that “women were forced to marry terrorists or taken as sex slaves” serves as a qualitative indicator. Systematically collecting such reports would provide a measure of progress (or lack thereof) toward this target.

• For Target 4.a (Provide safe learning environments):

  • Number of attacks on educational facilities: The statement that “terrorists destroy schools” implies that the number of schools attacked or destroyed is a measurable indicator of the safety of learning environments.

SDGs, Targets, and Indicators Summary

Source: eurasiareview.com