The head of Niger's military regime has repealed a law which criminalised the trafficking of migrants through the nation, a hub for those seeking to reach Europe via neighbouring Libya and Algeria, the government announced late Monday (27 November).
General Abdourahamane Tiani, on Saturday signed “an order repealing” the 2015 law “relating to the illegal trafficking of migrants”, said a statement from the government's secretariat general read out on public radio and television.
In addition, this law “did not take into account the interests of Niger and its citizens”, he added.
The new order also stipulates that convictions handed down under the 2015 law “shall be erased”.
Since the law came into force, and with financial support from the European Union, surveillance, including military surveillance, has been stepped up in the desert in the northern Agadez region, a major transit point for thousands of West African nationals seeking to emigrate to Europe via Algeria or Libya.
In a memo, Niger's foreign affairs ministry said the government has decided to “withdraw the privileges and immunities granted” under the EU Military Partnership Mission in Niger that was launched in February and consequently “has no legal obligation” related to that partnership. It also dismissed the EU Civilian Capacity-Building Mission established in 2012 to strengthen Niger's internal security sector, effectively revoking its approval for the missions.
In a rare visit on Sunday, a Russian delegation led by Russia's Deputy Minister of Defence Lounous-Bek Evkourov met with Niger's junta leader, Gen. Abdourahmane Tchiani, and Minister of State for National Defense Salifou Mody. The two sides held more meetings on Monday to discuss military and defense issues. “At the centre of the discussions is the strengthening of cooperation between the two countries in the field of defense,” Niger's defense ministry said in a statement.