ABSTRACT
Niger is located within the Sahelo-Saharan strip, where growing cross-border security threats in the last decade have undermined the country's fragile political and economic stability, as well as eroded its social cohesion. The conflicts in Niger are multidimensional, with various groups challenging the state's authority and criminal networks exploiting prevailing insecurity. Niger has long been known for providing a highly active transit route that enables circular migratory flows for those travelling across the region. At the same time, the heavy-handed (and, at times, abusive) approach of the Niger Armed Forces deployed to respond to the violence has undermined their legitimacy and ability to operate effectively. Niger has taken steps to position itself as a vanguard in the fight against terrorism, and it has committed significant national resources to tackling the ensuing crisis. Throughout the reporting period, in Niger's southwest areas, rival groups fought for control over the Liptako-Gourma tri-border area, claiming the lives of dozens of soldiers and civilians.
