The African Commission on Human and Peoples' Rights (the Commission) is following with great attention the human rights situation in the Republic of Niger, and is particularly concerned following the multiple terrorist attacks perpetrated since the beginning of December in several localities in the west of the country, resulting in numerous civilian casualties.
The Commission was dismayed to learn of the deaths of thirty-nine (39) civilians, many of them women and children, following attacks by armed groups between 12 and 14 December 2024 in the localities of Libiri and Kokorou.
The Commission is all the more concerned because only a few days earlier, on 5 December, it received reports of the murder of twenty-one (21) civilians in an armed attack on a goods convoy in Tera, in the so-called ‘three borders’ zone between Niger, Mali and Burkina Faso.
The African Commission offers its condolences to the families of the deceased victims and to all the people of Niger.
The Commission remains deeply concerned by the increasing frequency of terrorist attacks against civilian populations, and recalls that terrorism constitutes a serious violation of human rights, as guaranteed by the African Charter on Human and Peoples' Rights, a threat to peace, security, development and democracy, and that it is imperative for African States to take all necessary measures to protect their populations against terrorist acts.
The Commission reiterates its invitation to the African Union and the international community to redouble their efforts to combat terrorism and consolidate the actions and initiatives launched to prevent and combat terrorism in Niger and other Sahel countries, while taking into consideration its ‘Principles and Guidelines on the Protection of Human and Peoples’ Rights while Countering Terrorism in Africa’ (2015).
Honourable Commissioner Selma SASSI-SAFER
Commissioner in charge of the human rights situation in the Republic of Niger
