Jihadist violence in spreading rapidly in the African SAHEL region

By Gary Raynaldo     DIPLOMATIC  TIMES

Six French aid workers and two locals were killed Sunday in ambush in Niger wildlife park in the West African nation. The group was apparently attacked in a giraffe reserve near Koure, a town about 65km (40 miles) from the capital, Niamey. There was no immediate claim of responsibility, but Niger has been the target of attacks by militant groups affiliated with Islamic State.   The gunmen reportedly carried out the massacre on motorcycles that left dead French nationals, a Nigerian guide and a driver in the wildlife park. The French nationals worked for the ACTED relief organisation.  France’s  Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs Jean-Yves Le Drian condemned the attack. 

” I utterly condemn the deadly attack against a group of humanitarian workers yesterday in the Kouré area in Niger.  I extend my condolences to the families and friends of the victims who were murdered in a cowardly attack, as well as to the Nigerien authorities and people. The perpetrators of this despicable attack must be held accountable.”

-Jean-Yves Le Drian, French Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs

France, a former colonial power in Africa, is leading its Operation Barkhane counter-terror operations with some 5,000 troops across Sahel states Burkina Faso, Chad, Mali, Mauritania and Niger. 

Le Drian added: “The Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs’ Crisis and Support Center and the Embassy of France in Niamey are fully mobilized, in close coordination with the Nigerien authorities and the NGO, ACTED, in order to provide all the necessary support and assistance to the victims’ families at this tragic time.”

UN Official Describes Relentless, Unprecedented Terrorist Attacks In West Africa, Sahel

The top UN official in West Africa and the Sahel in January described a devastating, “unprecedented” surge in terrorist violence across the region.  Mohamed Ibn Chambas, Special Representative of the Secretary-General and Head of the United Nations Office for West Africa and the Sahel, briefed the Security Council meeting on peace consolidation in West Africa at UN world headquarters:

“The region has experienced a devastating surge in terrorist attacks against civilian and military targets. The humanitarian consequences are alarming.”

Militants linked to Islamic State killed four US soldiers in an ambush in Niger near the border with Mali in October 2017.

France is determined to ensure that the imperative to protect humanitarian and health workers is respected: Jean-Yves Le Drian

France’s  Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs Jean-Yves Le Drian

“As President Macron reaffirmed during his discussion with his Nigerien counterpart, every effort is being and will be made to clarify the circumstances of this deadly attack. Our two countries remain determined to continue the joint fight against terrorist groups in the Sahel. “

-Jean-Yves Le Drian, French Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs