The government of Niger has ordered several thousand Mahamid nomads from Chad to leave the country by December 31. This decision comes after allegations that the nomads have been providing arms and logistics to jihadist groups, including Boko Haram, operating in the region. The nomads have been living in the south-east of Niger for decades.
The order was confirmed by a senior official in the Diffa region of Niger, where the nomads are primarily based. The region has been plagued by jihadist violence for over a decade, with groups such as Boko Haram and Iswap active in the area. The official stated that the instruction to expel the nomads came from the highest authorities in the country and that the deadline is strict.
The ultimatum was notified to the representatives of the Mahamid by the governor of the Diffa region, General Mahamadou Ibrahim Bagadoma, during a meeting on November 8. The governor's message followed a radio communication from the Niger Ministry of Interior in April, which activated a plan to expel the nomads due to "serious security consequences" caused by their irregular installation.
The Ministry of Interior had demanded that regional governors identify the Mahamid, withdraw their Nigerien identity documents, organize their repatriation to their country of origin, and prevent their return. The authorities have also closed schools and water wells created by the state but used exclusively by the Mahamid community, allegedly to the detriment of local populations.
According to General Bagadoma, seizures of arms and intelligence gathered between 2023 and 2026 suggest that some Mahamid are involved in supplying terrorist groups in the Lake Chad basin with arms, ammunition, and logistics. The nomads have been in Niger since the 1970s, fleeing drought and conflict in their native region of Abéché, Chad.
The increasing number of livestock, particularly camels, owned by the Mahamid has led to conflicts with local populations over grazing and water resources. These conflicts have sometimes turned violent, resulting in deaths. The Nigerien authorities have taken measures to address these issues, including the expulsion of the nomads.
The expulsion order has been enforced, with an agent municipal confirming that the schools in question have been closed and the water pumps removed. The Mahamid nomads will have to leave Niger by December 31, with the authorities determined to enforce the deadline.
Key points
- The Nigerien government has accused the Mahamid nomads of supporting jihadist groups, including Boko Haram.
- The nomads have been living in Niger for decades, fleeing drought and conflict in their native Chad.
- The expulsion order is part of a broader effort to address security concerns and resource competition in the region.
