Niger, one of the world’s poorest and most unstable countries, is in the throes of a worsening humanitarian crisis as it enters 2024. The nation has been engulfed in turmoil following the July 2023 military coup that deposed its democratically elected president, Mohamed Bazoum. The coup, which has led to widespread political instability, comes on the heels of an ongoing conflict with jihadist groups, devastating impacts of climate change, and an economic collapse exacerbated by international sanctions and border closures. Over 7.3 million people are at risk of falling into acute food insecurity, and millions more are struggling to access basic services such as healthcare, education, and clean water.
Niger’s political instability is not a new phenomenon. Since gaining independence from France in 1960, the country has experienced a series of military coups and periods of political unrest. The recent coup, led by General Abdourahmane Tchiani, marks the fifth time since independence that the military has intervened to overthrow a civilian government. Each coup has set back the country’s democratic development, leaving its political institutions fragile and its civil society weakened.
Before the coup, Niger was considered one of the last bastions of democracy in the Sahel region, a zone that has been plagued by violent extremism and political instability. Neighboring countries like Mali and Burkina Faso had already fallen to military juntas in recent years, and Niger’s fall represents a significant setback for democratic governance in the region. The international community had viewed Niger as a strategic partner in the fight against Islamist insurgencies in the Sahel, with Western nations providing military support and training to its armed forces.
However, the political instability unleashed by the coup has created a power vacuum that extremist groups, such as the Islamic State in the Greater Sahara (ISGS) and Boko Haram, are eager to exploit. These groups have been waging an insurgency in the region for over a decade, using Niger’s vast and porous borders to launch attacks on both civilian and military targets. The increased violence has displaced tens of thousands of people, further complicating the country’s already dire humanitarian situation.
The economic repercussions of the coup have been devastating for Niger. In response to the overthrow of President Bazoum, the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) imposed stringent sanctions on Niger, including financial restrictions and the closure of borders with ECOWAS member states. These measures, aimed at pressuring the junta to restore democratic rule, have had a severe impact on Niger’s economy.
Niger is heavily dependent on imports for food, fuel, and other essential goods. The border closures have disrupted the flow of goods, leading to shortages and skyrocketing prices in local markets. The country’s landlocked status makes it particularly vulnerable to such disruptions, as it relies on its neighbors—especially Nigeria and Benin—for access to major ports. The sanctions have also led to the suspension of crucial development aid, which accounted for nearly 40% of Niger’s national budget.
The economic crisis has hit the most vulnerable populations hardest. With inflation soaring and household incomes declining, millions of Nigeriens are finding it increasingly difficult to meet their basic needs. The World Food Programme (WFP) has warned that the food security situation is deteriorating rapidly, with over 3.3 million people currently facing acute hunger. If the crisis continues, the number of people in need of emergency food assistance could rise to over 7.3 million by mid-2024.
The combination of conflict, political instability, and economic collapse has created a perfect storm of humanitarian need in Niger. According to the United Nations, nearly 4.4 million people, or approximately one-fifth of the population, are currently in need of urgent humanitarian assistance . The crisis is particularly acute in the regions of Tillabéri, Tahoua, and Diffa, where conflict and displacement have severely disrupted access to food, water, and healthcare.
Displacement is a major driver of the crisis. The conflict with jihadist groups has forced over 300,000 people to flee their homes, many of whom have sought refuge in overcrowded and under-resourced camps. These camps lack basic infrastructure, and conditions are deteriorating as more people arrive daily. Access to clean water and sanitation is limited, raising the risk of disease outbreaks such as cholera. In some areas, malnutrition rates have reached emergency levels, with over 400,000 children under the age of five at risk of severe acute malnutrition.
The situation is further complicated by climate change, which has made Niger’s arid climate even more unpredictable. The country is prone to both droughts and floods, which have destroyed crops and eroded the livelihoods of millions of rural farmers and herders. The resulting loss of agricultural productivity has led to a sharp increase in food prices, pushing more people into poverty and food insecurity.
Niger’s crisis is not occurring in isolation—it is part of a broader pattern of instability and violence that is sweeping across the Sahel region. The collapse of state authority in countries like Mali and Burkina Faso has allowed extremist groups to expand their reach, and the coup in Niger has further undermined efforts to restore stability in the region. The inability of national governments to control their territories has created a patchwork of ungoverned spaces that are exploited by both jihadist groups and criminal networks.
The regional implications of Niger’s crisis are profound. The country’s instability could spill over into neighboring states, further destabilizing an already fragile region. The conflict has also strained relations between Niger and its neighbors. ECOWAS, which had previously threatened military intervention to restore democratic rule in Niger, is facing internal divisions over how to respond to the crisis. Nigeria, the most powerful ECOWAS member, is particularly concerned about the impact of Niger’s instability on its own northern states, which are already grappling with a Boko Haram insurgency.
Internationally, the crisis has raised concerns about the effectiveness of Western counterterrorism strategies in the Sahel. The United States and France, which maintain military bases in Niger, have been forced to reassess their presence in the region. France, in particular, has faced growing hostility from the local population, who accuse it of failing to provide security despite years of military intervention. The withdrawal of French and European forces from Mali in 2022 and the increasing anti-Western sentiment in the region suggest that the current strategy may need to be overhauled.
The international response to Niger’s crisis has been limited, hampered by political considerations and competing priorities. While humanitarian organizations such as the International Rescue Committee (IRC) and the United Nations are working to provide emergency assistance, their efforts are severely underfunded. The UN’s 2024 Humanitarian Response Plan for Niger is only 30% funded, leaving a gap of over $600 million that is needed to meet the most basic needs of the population.
The United Nations and humanitarian agencies have called for an urgent increase in funding and support to address the escalating crisis. However, securing international attention and resources has been challenging, given the multitude of other crises vying for attention, including the war in Ukraine, the conflict in Sudan, and the global economic slowdown. The international community’s focus has been further divided by geopolitical tensions, making it difficult to galvanize a coordinated response to Niger’s crisis.
Addressing Niger’s humanitarian crisis will require a multifaceted approach that goes beyond immediate emergency relief. While food aid, healthcare, and shelter are critical, long-term solutions are needed to address the root causes of the crisis—conflict, political instability, and economic fragility. This includes supporting efforts to restore democratic governance, strengthening local institutions, and investing in climate resilience to help communities withstand environmental shocks.
At the regional level, a coordinated approach is essential to prevent the crisis from spilling over into neighboring countries. This means enhancing cross-border security cooperation, strengthening the capacity of ECOWAS and the African Union to respond to political crises, and addressing the underlying drivers of extremism and violence in the Sahel.
For the international community, Niger’s crisis is a stark reminder of the need for sustained engagement in fragile states. The current situation is a clear example of how quickly a country can descend into chaos when political stability is undermined. Without urgent and sustained international support, the situation in Niger could become yet another protracted crisis in a region already overwhelmed by conflict and suffering.