The government of Niger has issued an ultimatum to thousands of Mahamid nomads, instructing them to leave the country by December 31. According to local authorities, the decision was made due to concerns over the community's alleged ties to jihadist groups, including Boko Haram. The Mahamid nomads have lived in the south-east of Niger for decades.
The region of Diffa, where the Mahamid community is primarily based, has been plagued by jihadist violence for over a decade. The group's alleged involvement in providing arms and logistical support to Boko Haram and its rival, Iswap, has been a major concern for the Nigerien authorities. A high-ranking official in the Diffa region confirmed the ultimatum, stating that it was a "very firm instruction" from the country's highest authorities.
The decision to expel the Mahamid nomads was first announced in April, when the Ministry of Interior instructed regional governors to identify and remove the community's members. The ministry cited "serious security consequences" resulting from the Mahamid's irregular installation in the region. The governors were also ordered to withdraw the community's Nigerien identification documents and organize their repatriation to their country of origin.
According to the general Mahamadou Ibrahim Bagadoma, the region's governor, the Mahamid community's alleged involvement in terrorist activities was revealed through arms seizures and intelligence gathered between 2023 and 2026. The community's presence has also led to tensions with local populations, particularly over access to water and grazing land for their livestock.
The Nigerien authorities have also taken steps to restrict the Mahamid community's access to public services. In October, they ordered the closure of schools and water pumps that had been created for the community, but were allegedly being used exclusively by the Mahamid. A municipal agent in the Diffa region confirmed that the schools had been closed and the water pumps removed.
The Mahamid nomads first arrived in Niger in the 1970s, fleeing a devastating drought in their native region of Abéché, in eastern Chad. Since then, more groups have joined them, fleeing conflicts in Chad and Sudan. However, their increasing numbers and competition for resources have led to clashes with local populations.
The expulsion of the Mahamid nomads is the latest development in a long-standing dispute between the community and the Nigerien authorities. The country's government has faced pressure to address the security concerns in the region, while also ensuring the rights and safety of all communities.
Key points
- The Nigerien government has ordered the expulsion of thousands of Mahamid nomads by December 31, citing alleged ties to jihadist groups.
- The Mahamid community has lived in Niger for decades, primarily in the Diffa region, which has been plagued by jihadist violence.
- The expulsion is part of a broader effort to address security concerns and tensions between the Mahamid community and local populations.
