Africa: 21 civilians killed in Niger bus attack in fresh violence
At least 21 civilians were killed in an attack by armed assailants on motorcycles in Niger, according to the country’s army. The tragic incident occurred last Thursday near the town of Tera, approximately 175 km (108 miles) west of the capital Niamey, near the Burkina Faso border.
The assailants targeted a public transport bus traveling between Bankilare and Tera in the volatile Tillaberi region. The army described the act as “hateful and inhumane” in a statement released over the weekend.
Tillaberi has been a hotspot for violence, marked by clashes between military forces and armed groups. On Friday, a soldier was killed when a military vehicle hit an improvised explosive device in what appeared to be a reprisal attack.
Niger, along with neighbors Mali and Burkina Faso, remains at the epicenter of a worsening Sahel insurgency. These nations, all governed by military regimes following coups since 2020, have struggled to fulfill promises of improved security, with violence continuing unabated.
The attack also underscores the growing instability in the region as Western forces are being ousted in favor of partnerships with Russia and other actors. Niger, once a pivotal ally in the U.S.’s counter-insurgency efforts, recently ordered the withdrawal of American forces, leaving Washington without a military presence in the Sahel.
The Sahel’s escalating conflict has claimed thousands of lives and displaced millions, amplifying calls for comprehensive international and regional efforts to restore peace and security.
