According to reports, the Niger Republic’s military junta has begun talks with terrorists in an effort to find solutions to the country’s escalating insecurity.
According to Zagazola Makama, a counter-insurgency publication focused on the Lake Chad region, Niger’s junta leader, Abdourahmane Tchiani, has been seeking channels of communication with terrorist groups through his interior minister.
“As part of this strategy, 86 terrorists have been released from the anti-terrorist cell as well as other prisons, including those in Kollo (6) and Koutoukalé,” the publication reported on Saturday.
“Among the freed are notorious terrorist leaders such as Dandjou Aliou, Haroun Boubacar, Altini Bella, Kabirou Bazo, and others.”
However, some members of Tiani’s cabinet have objected to this approach, claiming that it weakens the state’s position against terrorists.
According to Zagazola Makama, the junta has decided to send 535 repentant terrorists to the regions of Diffa, Tillabéri, and Tahoua to combat insecurity.
According to the publication, a new alliance was formed recently between the Islamic and Muslim Support Group (JNIM) and the Islamic State in the Sahara (EIGS), two militant groups.
The alliance intends to coordinate its actions from the south-west to the mid-west of Niger, covering the border areas with Burkina Faso, the three border areas, and the Malian border, highlighting the landlocked country’s deteriorating security situation.
Since seizing power from ousted President Mohamed Bazoum, the junta has failed to ensure the country’s stability, which was one of the reasons for Bazoum’s removal.