Maghreb Edition

Sahel: Kidnappings intensify in southeast NigerF

Posted On 6 September 2019

Number of times this article was read : 321

Niamey, Sept 5, 2019 – At least 66 civilians were kidnapped in July in southeastern Niger near the border with Nigeria where the jihadist group Boko Haram is active, a UN source said Thursday. “At least 66 civilians including 44 women were abducted in July 2019 alone in the Diffa area,” the source said. In early August the United Nations said 179 people had been kidnapped since January by “non-state armed groups” in the area, including Boko Haram fighters based in northeastern Nigeria and the islands of Lake Chad, which straddles Niger, Chad and Nigeria.

Diffa authorities say the abductions are often followed by ransom demands, noting that Boko Haram’s coffers have been dwindling since security forces launched operations to eradicate the group in 2015. But a Niger minister said many kidnappings could be attributed to bandits “posing” as Boko Haram militants. Ransoms can exceed one million CFA francs (more than 1,500 euros, $1,655), a local politician said.

By AFP

The North Africa Journal's WhatsApp Group
.

Most Recent Stories from the Region

Southern Libya Boils Over: Three Haftar Soldiers Killed in Border Raid Near Niger✓

Three soldiers loyal to Libyan commander Khalifa Haftar were killed and several others captured in coordinated attacks on border posts near Niger, underscoring how southern Libya has become a key fault line in the country’s fractured security landscape. Fighters claiming to represent “revolutionaries of the South” say they are targeting Haftar’s forces over dire living conditions and alleged resource plunder, as cross-border armed groups test the limits of state control from Al-Tum to the Salvador Pass.

Tunisia Appeals Court Extends Rached Ghannouchi’s Prison Term by 20 Years✓

Tunisia Appeals Court Extends Rached Ghannouchi’s Prison Term by 20 Years✓

Rached Ghannouchi, the 84-year-old leader of Tunisia’s Ennahda party, has had his prison sentence increased to 20 years in a case known as “Conspiracy 2,” pushing his cumulative jail time from multiple convictions to more than four decades. His defense team says he will not seek a final appeal, denouncing the charges as politically driven and warning that the ruling deepens Tunisia’s crackdown on organized opposition.

Written by The North Africa Journal

The North Africa Journal is a leading English-language publication focused on North Africa. The Journal covers primarily the Maghreb region and expands its general coverage to the Sahel, Egypt, and beyond, when events in those regions affect the broader North Africa geography. The Journal does not have any affiliation with any institution and has been independent since its founding in 1996. Our position is to always bring our best analysis of events affecting the region, and remain as neutral as humanly possible. Our coverage is not limited to one single topic, but ranges from economic and political affairs, to security, defense, social and environmental issues. We rely on our full staff analysts and editors to bring you best-in-class analysis. We also work with sister company MEA Risk LLC, to leverage the presence on the ground of a solid network of contributors and experts. Information on MEA Risk can be found at www.MEA-Risk.com.