Overview: The Nigerien government prioritized counterterrorism but limited capacity constrained efforts. Porous borders and the huge expanse of Niger that lacks a persistent government presence provided terrorist groups with an environment conducive to recruitment of terrorist operatives and acquisition of resources by illegal means such as smuggling and kidnapping. Terrorists committed coordinated, asymmetric attacks in Niger in 2013. Niger is a member of the Trans-Sahara Counterterrorism Partnership (TSCTP).

Historic tensions between the Nigerien state and Tuareg groups traditionally associated with trans-Sahara smuggling contributed to some support for terrorist operatives. Niger sent a force of over 600 troops to intervene against terrorist groups in northern Mali as part of the African-Led International Support Mission in Mali and increased its contribution to over 800 troops in the follow-on UN Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in Mali (MINUSMA). Niger also continued its counterterrorism cooperation with other regional partners and organizations.

The presence of the terrorist group Boko Haram (BH) in northern Nigeria, just across Niger's southern border, remained a threat. The Government of Niger remained committed to fighting al-Qa'ida in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM), al-Mulathamun Battalion (AMB), and BH, but needed and welcomed external support and greater regional cooperation.

The United States significantly increased its security sector capacity building programs with Niger in 2013. A U.S. Department of Justice Resident Legal Advisor also worked with the Nigerien Ministry of Justice to: build counterterrorism capacity in the justice sector, provide training to judges and prosecutors on counterterrorism investigations and legislation, focus on the physical protection of government institutions, and on the prison system.

2013 Terrorist Incidents:

  • On May 23, a Nigerien military base in Agadez and a French uranium mine in Arlit (both in northern Niger) were simultaneously targeted by terrorists associated with AQIM. The coordinated attacks used vehicle-borne improvised explosive devices followed by explosive vests, grenades, and small arms. All of the attackers were killed, and 12 suspects believed to be facilitators were arrested after the attacks. Even though one of the attacks took place on a military facility, Ministry of Interior forces – trained through the U.S. Department of State's Antiterrorism Assistance (ATA) program – were sent to intervene. The attack demonstrated significant gaps in Niger's ability to detect threats and organize a coordinated response.

  • On June 1, prisoners who were associated with BH and AQIM escaped from prison in Niamey, one of whom was indicted for the murder of an American in 2000. Two Nigerien National Guard members and one prisoner were killed in the prison break. Only two of the nine escaped prisoners were recaptured.

Legislation, Law Enforcement, and Border Security: Niger has updated its legislation to criminalize acts of terrorism and refine its ability to enact the law through the creation of the new Judicial Counterterrorism Center and the Central Service for the Fight against Terrorism (SCLCT). Law enforcement entities as well as military units have created new crisis response units and enhance their border patrol capacity. Niger's law enforcement capacity is based on the overall willingness and availability of specialized units such as the Ministry of Interior's National Police Intervention Group (GIPN) for intervention capacity and the SCLCT for counterterrorism investigation. Nigerien units lack some basic and most specialized equipment needed to complete missions. Niger recognized the importance of a sustained in-country training facility by dedicating 12 acres to a joint training facility located near SCLCT.

During 2013, the SCLCT arrested multiple terrorist suspects on charges that included planning acts of terrorism, association with a terrorist organization, recruitment, and financing terrorism. In response to the terrorist attacks in Agadez and Arlit, Nigerien security services significantly increased security in Niamey and other cities, and specifically areas around Niamey's Presidential Palace and diplomatic quarter. Arrests included an arms network providing weapons to BH. However, there were no terrorism trials during 2013. Judicial proceedings were often delayed by a lack of resources and investigative capacity.

In October, Niger co-hosted its second Global Counterterrorism Forum (GCTF) Sahel Cross-Border Workshop in Niamey. In October, Niger also signed a security agreement with Nigeria to include joint border patrols aimed at fighting BH. With the support of the United States, the Government of Niger agreed to install an additional three Personal Identification Secure Comparison and Identification Systems (PISCES) at three key border control locations. Additionally, more than 220 Nigerien security service officers received eight training courses from the State Department's Antiterrorism Assistance (ATA) program, as well as other training opportunities. Topics included Critical Response Team Operations, Border Control Management, Precursor-Chemical Introduction, and Post-Blast Investigation.

Resource constraints across the spectrum of basic needs such as electricity, radios, and reliable vehicles made it difficult for the Government of Niger to carry out effective law enforcement and border security.

Countering the Financing of Terrorism: Niger is a member of the Inter-Governmental Action Group against Money Laundering in West Africa (GIABA), a Financial Action Task Force-style (FATF) regional body. A recent FATF/GIABA West Africa terrorism finance typology featured several case studies from Niger that involved bulk cash smuggling and the export of munitions to support Nigerian terrorist activities. Kidnapping for ransom is also a problem, as proceeds from this activity finance terrorist groups in the region.

In 2013, Niger's financial intelligence unit, known by its French acronym, CENTIF, continued to become fully operational, added staff, and improved its physical infrastructure and information-technology capabilities. In 2013, CENTIF carried out a number of awareness-raising activities for reporting entities, and received a handful of suspicious transaction reports from financial institutions.

For further information on money laundering and financial crimes, see the 2014 International Narcotics Control Strategy Report (INCSR), Volume 2, Money Laundering and Financial Crimes: http://www.state.gov/j/inl/rls/nrcrpt/index.htm.

Regional and International Cooperation: Niger deployed over 800 troops to Mali as part of MINUSMA. Niger continued to work with Mali, Algeria, and Mauritania through a combined counterterrorism center called the General Staff Joint Operations Committee (CEMOC) in Tamanrasset, Algeria. Niger increased efforts to improve joint patrols and operations with Algeria, conducted joint patrols with Nigeria and Chad, and held high-level discussions with Libya regarding border security. The EU continued its support for a 50-person team in Niger to build capacity in countering terrorism and other organized crime.

Countering Radicalization to Violence and Violent Extremism: Nigerien government-led initiatives to provide employment to released prisoners, especially to returnees from Libya, have sought to counter radicalization to violence and violent extremism. In November, Niger held a conference on strategic communication to counter terrorism.

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