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AFP
In terror-ravaged West African country Niger, gunmen killed at least 56 people and wounded more than 20. Interior Minister Alkache Alhada announced this Saturday night in the capital Niamey. The attack occurred near the border with Mali in the villages of Tchombangou and Zaroumdareye. The exact circumstances of the attack are not yet clear. Niger is one of the most important transit countries for African immigrants who want to reach the Mediterranean.
There are a number of terrorist groups active in Niger and other countries in this region that have pledged their allegiance to Al Qaeda or the Islamic State (IS). Along with Mali, Mauritania, Chad and Burkina Faso, Niger is part of the G5 Sahel group that aims to fight terrorist groups. The government also has little control in the desert expanses outside the cities, which are used not only by jihadist groups, but also by criminal networks.
Second-round election for the presidency
In the Sahel state, the preliminary results of the presidential and parliamentary elections were announced on the same day. The head of state Mahamadou Issoufou, as provided for by the constitution, will resign after his two terms.
An ally of the outgoing president, former Foreign Minister Mohamed Bazoum, ran for the ruling PNDS party and won 39.6 percent of the vote. However, like the strongest opposition candidate Mahamane Ousmane (16.9 percent), he did not achieve the necessary majority, thus requiring a second round on February 22.
In recent years, Europe had lobbied the Nigerian government to stop human trafficking. Niger is also an important partner of the EU in the fight against terrorism in the Sahel region.
