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- In Niger, a country ravaged by terror in West Africa, on the border with Mali, gunmen attacked two villages.
- They killed at least 56 people and injured more than 20. This was announced by Niger’s Interior Minister Alkache Alhada.
- It is not clear who is responsible for the attack. Many terrorist groups are active in Niger and other countries in this region, including Al Qaeda and the so-called Islamic State.
Therefore, the attack took place near the border with Mali in the villages of Tchombangou and Zaroumdareye.
Niger is one of the most important transit countries for African immigrants who want to reach the Mediterranean. 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.
Election Results Announced
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.
