Niger

Where We Work

Niger

Context

GCERF delineates the Sahel within the context of the Group of Five Countries for the Sahel, also known as G5 Sahel, the intergovernmental body to promote regional cooperation in development and security matters. Our focus is on the central Sahel region covering Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger. Our engagement in the region will directly bolster the implementation of National Action Plans of the three countries working in partnership with local, national, regional, and global partners. Our work began in Mali in 2016 followed by Burkina Faso and Niger in 2021.

The Sahel is one of the most deprived regions in the world. It is home to several fragile and conflict-affected states, each ranking low on the UN Human Development Index and beset by multidimensional conflicts. These conflicts have created fertile environments for violent extremism and organised crime in an already fragile regional context. The region is also a source of criminal activities, including human trafficking and the smuggling of people, drugs, and weapons.

Niger is currently ranked 10 on the Global Terrorism Index of 2024. Deaths in the Sahel constituted 47% of the global total of terrorism deaths in 2023, compared to just one percent in 2007. Over the past 15 years, the number of deaths due to terrorism in the Sahel has increased by 2,860%.

The main drivers of violent extremism are youth unemployment, farmer/herder conflicts and governance-related grievances. VE groups exploit these tensions and insecurities by communicating narratives of injustice and by providing protection in exchange for loyalty.

The programme in Niger aims to:

Reduce the risk of radicalization of communities in Niger by helping women and youth in particular to improve their understanding of radicalization, and develop key factors of resilience on individual and community levels.
Create socio-economic opportunities for youth and women.
Create dialogue spaces within communities, and between communities and local authorities and defense forces.
Promote the disengagement of young people from extremist groups.
Integrate repentant young people into public services or into the socio-economic environment of their home communities, with the support of public authorities.

These will be achieved through activities including:

Vocational training for youth and women on innovative vocations, entrepreneurship, financial management, and accountability.
Creation of a business mentoring and technical support system for youth and women.
Development of networking structures bringing together youth and women with professionals and potential business partners.
Creation or revival of community dialogue spaces.
Coaching youth and women to engage with local decision-making structures and processes.
Organisation of dialogue spaces between defense forces, youth, and women.
Trainings on prevention of violent extremism.
Participatory theatre sessions reinforcing social cohesion and raising awareness on key themes.
Radio programming on preventing violent extremism.

The training helped us to understand the legal process of claiming our rights. It has allowed us to participate in local governance, find solutions to our community problems and make decision-makers accountable for their actions at the municipal level.