(Disclaimer: La Tonique Media LLC does not represent any political ideology. While we do not espouse any political beliefs, we do seek to provide a balance perspective by incorporating voices from both sides of the political spectrum.)

The phenomenon of migration from sub-Saharan Africa to territories considered to be safer or economically and politically stable appears to be quite complex to explain. However, to name a few causes, it would seem that poverty, violence, authoritarian regimes, internal conflicts and climate change are the major push factors that bring people to migrate.

Where do migrants come from and what routes do they follow? Historically, migration has taken place by land and by sea. In response to the refugee crisis in 2015, the European Commission tried to reform the Common European Asylum System (CEAS) in order to better manage asylum applications among EU countries. Because of member states' failure in reaching an agreement on the proposals and the rise of nationalism and populism in Europe, restrictive migration policies were adopted by several countries in 2016.

In 2015, among the top 10 origin countries of people applying for asylum in the EU, there was Syria, Afghanistan, Iraq, Kosovo, Eritrea and Nigeria. The Sahel region is strongly connected with Niger’s role as a transition point because it is situated in a geopolitically sensitive area. In 2017, the UNHCR reported almost 300,000 people passing through Niger per year.

At the beginning of the 21st century, there has been a growing reliance on not only crossing the Sahara Desert — but also Mali, Nigeria and Chad — and Niger which represents a key frontier for several actors — economic migrants coming from West Africa and asylum seekers from the Horn of Africa. These countries are important crossroads in a series of illegal trafficking, in particular drug and arms trafficking, accompanied by international terrorism. The West African routes are currently the most important and problematic because they converge towards the Mediterranean heart in Tunisia, Algeria and, especially, in Libya.

ONU intervention

The International Organization of the United Nations has been present in the Sahel region since April 2013 with the "Stabilization Mission in Mali" (MINUSMA), which included 10,000 soldiers and 2,000 policemen. Among various measures, there is the UN Resolution 2539 of 2017, which recognizes the Force Conjointe du G5 du Sahel to mobilize 5,000 Italian and French military and police personnel in Mauritania, Niger, Chad, Mali and Burkina Faso with the aim of supporting the contingents of these francophone countries. The G5 Sahel is a joint military operation planned in 2014 between Mali, Niger, Chad, Burkina Faso and Mauritania with the challenge to seek security and fight the terrorist organizations on the territory.

In November 2017, a joint task force was created between the UN, the EU and the African Union in Abidjan — the capital of Côte d'Ivoire — to protect migrants and refugees along migratory routes, particularly the one directed towards Libya. Several initiatives have been envisaged such as the protection and relocation of asylum seekers, and the promotion of development in the Sahel through increased economic investment in this area.

EU intervention

One of the most important agreements between the EU and African countries located in strategic areas — along the route of the central Mediterranean and the borders of Niger — is called the Valletta Summit of Migration. This program aimed to create a new immigration plan providing €1.8 billion from the EU budget as well as contributions from member states and other donors.

Intervention of France

Since colonial times, France has always had a strong influence on Niger. The country today is part of the Francophonie and adopts as a currency the CFA franc. In response to Nigerian immigration to France, the French government adopted the act "Asylum and Immigration" in 2018. The plan allowed asylum applications to be examined directly on Nigerian territory so that those who did not meet the necessary conditions did not travel. This law aimed at controlling immigration, effective right of asylum and successful integration. 

Intervention of Italy

In February 2017, to significantly contain the Islamist guerrillas of Niger and to reject the migration flows to Europe, Italy opened the provisional embassy in Niamey — although the ambassador has been present since December 2016. The constitution of the diplomatic seat was a sign of a great commitment from the geopolitical point of view, alongside economic and humanitarian efforts, thanks to the presence of NGOs. Additionally, in 2017, the Italian government acted in agreement with Libya on several fronts, from facilitating local agreements in the south of the country to strengthening the Libyan coast guard. In November 2018, Italy hosted the Palermo Conference on Libya. The increasing migration influxes departing from Libya to Italy have always made the North African country a national security priority for the Italian state, but there is more. In October 2020, Italy announced it would spend €8 million on a plan to reduce migration flows through Niger. The plan will provide assistance and protection to refugees and migrants and means of integration into local communities. It aims at fighting human trafficking and illegal migration.

The last shocking event that took place goes back to Jan. 4, 2021. One hundred people were killed in attacks at two villages — Tchombangou and Zaroumdareye — by suspected Islamist militants. 

Several external and internal actors are still playing their role in Niger, both legally and illegally. Niger is facing grave security challenges and has significant humanitarian needs due to food shortages, epidemics and an increased number of displaced persons, both as refugees or from Niger itself. Are we sure that these interventions are helpful for the country?

Read testimonies from migrants here.