Niger is caught between Islamic State and Boko Haram | Middle East & Africa
“We are not satisfied with the international community as a whole in its way of fighting terrorism in this area,” Mr Bazoum tells[Islamic State], in Iraq we saw a great international coalition. But today, we are not seeing the same mobilisation through the, in particular.” The region has enough troops, and these are being trained and advised by French and allied forces.
On current trends the conflict will lead to more than 2,400 deaths in the Sahel this year. In Niger’s east, meanwhile, the government is battling the jihadists of Boko Haram who attack across the border from safe areas in Nigeria or from the marshes of Lake Chad. Roughly 500,000 people are living in camps in Niger because of violence in the country or its neighbours.
Mr Bazoum’s response has been to host the headquarters of a French-led counter-terrorism operation, known as the Takuba Task Force, which will include commandos from nine European countries and will focus on training and advising local forces. This is meant to become the leading Western effort in the Sahel as France winds down its own counter-terrorism force, Operation Barkhane, which currently has about 5,000 troops deployed in the Sahel and has its headquarters in Chad.
Within Niger Mr Bazoum is not just relying on force. He hopes to deal with the discontent that leads some to join the insurgents. To win people over he is trying to provide services such as clinics, clean water and schools in remote villages, and to attract investment by curbing corruption. Investments in infrastructure and solar energy are aimed at boosting growth and output, particularly on farms.
Improving governance and education will take time. Yet if Niger is left unaided, time may not be on its side.This article appeared in the Middle East & Africa section of the print edition under the headline "Jihadists on all sides"
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