In Niger, the interior ministers, defense and humanitarian action went to the scene of the Tillia massacre on Thursday in the Tahoua region, in the north of the country. Several attacks have taken place in the last ten days in the region. All indications are that they would be implemented by the Islamic State in the Greater Sahara (EIGS). EIGS has largely expanded its grip on this part of the three border zones between Mali, Niger and Burkina Faso.
On Sunday, gunmen killed 157 civilians in nomadic camps. Local sources saya toll that would even exceed 200 victims. At least 13 people were killed in the Tillabéry region in the western part of the country on Wednesday. Barely ten days after the attack on Banibangou, still in Tillabéry, which left 66 dead.
Since 2020, Tillabéry and the Tahoua region have become reserve bases for EIGS. Formerly installed in Ménaka, in northeastern Mali, this group was pushed back across the border by the French force Barkhane and its allies, but also by the support group for Islam and Muslims, another terrorist faction in the region.
EIGS blows “on the glow of societal tensions”
One year later, EIGS has regained its strength, especially thanks to a significant recruitment capacity in these isolated areas, where populations feel abandoned. “EIGS has strong ties in Niger with some communities,” explains one security analyst, to the detriment of others, who oppose co-operation and undergo violent attacks.
“Blowing embers of societal tensions is an integral part of their strategy,” said a fighter in the region.
Nor would the time have been left to chance. “Although these attacks may be related to conflicts with local roots, the leaders of the EIGS probably appreciated the opportunity to personally mark the recent election as head of Niger for Mohamed Bazoum,” explains Lemine Ould Salem. in jihadist groups in the Sahel. Former Interior Minister Mohamed Bazoum is one of the country’s greatest architects of security policy. ”
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