NIAMEY – The Nigerien government has announced its withdrawal from the Multinational Joint Task Force (MNJTF), a regional military coalition engaged in the fight against armed Islamist groups in the Lake Chad region, Mena Today reported on Sunday, citing a statement broadcast on state television. This decision comes amid regional tensions and a strategic reorientation by Niger.
A Withdrawal That Weakens the Fight Against Armed Groups
The MNJTF, created in 2015, brought together soldiers from Nigeria, Chad, Cameroon, and Niger, with the mission of containing the expansion of terrorist groups such as Boko Haram and the Islamic State in West Africa. However, internal divisions and a lack of coordination have hampered its effectiveness, allowing these groups to establish themselves permanently in remote areas of the Sahel.
Niger’s withdrawal, which has not yet been commented on by the MNJTF, raises questions about the coalition’s future and its impact on regional security. This decision is part of a strategic withdrawal by Niger since the 2023 military coup.
A Strategic Reorientation Towards National Issues
Since the coup that overthrew President Mohamed Bazoum, Niger, alongside Mali and Burkina Faso, left the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) in 2024. The military junta, which has announced a five-year transition to a constitutional regime, claims it wants to strengthen national security, particularly around oil infrastructure, which is increasingly targeted by attacks.
Recent attacks, such as the one against a mosque in the southwest of the country that killed at least 44 people, and threats against the pipeline linking the Agadem oil field to the Beninese coast, illustrate the security challenges Niger faces.
Niger’s withdrawal from the MNJTF reflects a desire by the junta to prioritize a security approach more focused on national issues, to the detriment of multilateral commitments in the regional fight against terrorism. This decision could have significant consequences for the stability of the Sahel and the fight against armed groups in the region.
