People’s Coalition for the Sahel condemns deadly attacks on civilians in Niger
(Niamey, March 25, 2021) - The People’s Coalition for the Sahel condemns in the strongest possible terms the attacks on civilians that have left more than 200 people dead in Niger over the past few days in the Tahoua and Tillabery regions of western Niger. The West African civil society organizations that are members of the People’s Coalition pay tribute to the memory of all the victims and welcome the decision of the Nigerien authorities to declare a three-day national mourning period.
These tragic events, which follow the deaths of more than 100 civilians in a series of attacks in early January, are a reminder of the urgency of making the protection of civilians the top priority in the response to the multi-dimensional crisis in the Central Sahel (Niger, but also Mali and Burkina Faso). The recent attacks also highlight the limitations of the current counterterrorism approach, which is failing to prevent further violence against Sahelian populations. On the contrary, civilians are increasingly vulnerable, as evidenced by the widespread displacement of populations following the latest attacks.
Sita Adamou, President of the Association Nigérienne de Défense des Droits de l'Homme, a member of the People’s Coalition, said: "We are deeply saddened by this tragic loss of innocent life in our country. These horrific attacks in Niger mark the failure of a security strategy that has prioritized 'neutralizing terrorists' over-investing in actions to provide sustainable security for the people of the Sahel. A new approach is urgently needed, not only in political statements but also in actions. "
The People’s Coalition for the Sahel calls for a shift in priorities to respond more effectively to the crisis in the region with a focus on protecting civilians, a political solution that addresses the root causes of instability, responding to the humanitarian emergency, and fighting impunity. These four priorities will be the subject of concrete and quantifiable recommendations to the governments of the region and their international partners in a People’s Coalition report, "Sahel: What Needs to Change - For a New Approach Focused on the Needs of the People," to be published on April 15, 2021.
SIGNATORY ORGANISATIONS:
African Security Sector Network (ASSN)
Afrikajom Center, think-tank based in Dakar
Association Malienne des Droits de l’Homme (AMDH), Mali
Association Nigérienne de Défense des Droits de l'Homme, Niger
Centre Afrika Obota (CAO), Niger
Centre de Gouvernance Democratique, Burkina Faso
Centre Diocésain de Communication (CDC), Ouahigouya, Burkina Faso
Collectif contre l’impunité et la stigmatisation des communautés (CISC), Burkina Faso
Coordination des associations des femmes de l’Azawad (CAFA), Mali
Doniblog, Mali
Fédération internationale pour les droits humains (FIDH)
Mouvement Burkinabé pour la Defense des Droits de l'Homme et des Peuples (MBDHP), Burkina Faso
Observatoire Kisal
Réseau nigérien pour la gestion non violente des conflits (RE-GENOVICO), Niger
Réseau Panafricain Pour la Paix, la Démocratie et le Développement (REPPADD), Niger
Union Fraternelle des Croyants-Dori (UFC-Dori), Burkina Faso
Wathi, think-tank based in Dakar
West Africa Network for Peacebuilding (WANEP), Niger
Women in Law and Development (WILDAF), Mali