Press release on deadly attacks in the Tillabéri region (Republic of Niger)
The African Commission on Human and Peoples' Rights (the Commission) expresses its deep concern at reports of the death of at least twenty-five (25) members of a self-defence group in the Tillabéri region, in the west of the Republic of Niger, following coordinated attacks attributed to an armed group affiliated with the Islamic State organisation.
According to corroborating sources, the attacks targeted several localities in the Anzourou district, in a border area with Mali, resulting in the death of young members of community militias and injuries. These events took place against a backdrop of intensified armed violence in the so-called ‘three borders’ region, where non-state armed groups repeatedly carry out attacks against civilian populations, security forces and local actors.
The African Commission deplores these losses of life and extends its sincere condolences to the families of the victims and to the people of Niger. It notes that the Tillabéri region remains one of the epicentres of a prolonged security crisis, marked by repeated attacks, population displacement and serious violations of international human rights law and international humanitarian law, including summary executions, destruction of civilian property and obstruction of humanitarian access.
The Commission recalls that the right to life, guaranteed by Article 4 of the African Charter on Human and Peoples' Rights (the Charter), is a non-derogable right and that States have an obligation not only to refrain from infringing this right, but also to take all necessary measures to prevent violations, protect civilian populations and investigate alleged violations.
The Commission emphasises that, even in situations of armed violence, the obligations under the Charter continue to apply in conjunction with the relevant rules of international humanitarian law. In this regard, it recalls its “Principles and Guidelines on Human Rights and Peoples’ Rights in the Fight against Terrorism in Africa” (2015), which enshrine, inter alia, the principles of legality, necessity, proportionality and precaution in the use of force.
The Commission also emphasises that the proliferation of community self-defence groups, tolerated or encouraged in certain security contexts, cannot exempt the State from its obligations to protect human rights. It recalls that States must ensure that all forces operating under their jurisdiction or control fully comply with applicable standards and are subject to effective oversight and accountability mechanisms.
In light of the above, the African Commission:
• Calls on the Nigerien authorities to strengthen measures to protect civilian populations, particularly in areas exposed to armed violence;
• Calls on the competent authorities to conduct prompt, impartial, independent and effective investigations into all alleged violations of the right to life;
• Reminds all parties involved of their obligation to strictly comply with the rules of international humanitarian law and the relevant standards of international human rights law.
The Commission reiterates its call on the African Union and the international community to redouble their efforts to prevent and combat terrorism and to consolidate the actions and initiatives undertaken to prevent and combat terrorism in Niger and other countries in the Sahel.
Banjul, 3 March 2026
Honourable Commissioner Idrissa SOW
Chairperson of the Commission
Chairperson of the Working Group on the Death Penalty, Extrajudicial, Summary or Arbitrary Executions and Enforced Disappearances in Africa
Honourable Commissioner Selma SASSI-SAFER
Commissioner in charge of the human rights situation in the Republic of Niger
