Niger’s ruling military council has announced a state of general mobilization in a move aimed at confronting what it described as the continued insurgency by armed groups and containing the worsening security situation in the country.
In a statement issued following a cabinet meeting, the government said the decision was taken to “preserve the unity and territorial integrity of the nation, protect the population, and safeguard state institutions and vital interests from any internal or external threats.”
The statement explained that the mobilization measures may include requisitioning people, property, and services to contribute to national defense, in accordance with existing laws and regulations.
The decision comes nearly five years after Niger doubled the size of its armed forces to around 50,000 troops and raised the retirement age for officers from 47 to 52. Authorities have also called on citizens to make voluntary contributions to a fund established in 2023 to finance the purchase of military equipment and support agricultural projects.
Following its seizure of power in July 2023, the military council requested French and U.S. forces to leave the country, after they had been involved in counterterrorism operations, particularly in western regions.
At the regional level, Niger has joined Mali and Burkina Faso—both also ruled by military juntas—to form a joint force of 5,000 troops to combat armed groups operating in the Sahel.
Since the ouster of elected President Mohamed Bazoum, Niger has witnessed a surge in attacks by Islamist armed groups on multiple fronts. The country has endured nearly a decade of deadly assaults by groups affiliated with al-Qaeda and the so-called Islamic State, resulting in the deaths of around 2,000 people since the beginning of this year, according to the Armed Conflict Location & Event Data Project (ACLED). Southeastern regions of Niger have also been repeatedly targeted by Boko Haram and the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP).