The United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights on Tuesday condemned the recent attack on a mosque in the village of Cokoru in West Niger.
On March 21, a statement from the Niger Ministry of Defense revealed that on March 21, they surrounded the so-called Islamic State (ISGS) of the Greater Sahara (ISGS) – an ISIL affiliate – and randomly shot and killed their worshipers. They reportedly burned the market and several homes afterwards.
“During the prayers on the final 10 days of the Muslim holy month of Ramadan, the terrible attacks on the Famviti Mosque were clearly intended to cause as many civilian casualties as possible,” Türk said.
He stressed this is a “strict violation of international human rights law and humanitarian law,” adding that a fair investigation should be enacted to bring the person responsible to justice.
Local anxiety
This attack came in the context of a general deterioration in the broader Sahel security situation.
In recent years, the Sahel has seen a significant rise in violence following the expansion of armed groups associated with al-Qaeda and ISIL terrorist groups that took over North Mali’s territory following the Tuareg rebellion in 2012.
Since then, violence has spread to neighbouring countries, Niger and Burkina Faso, and more recently several other West African countries.
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Deputy UN Director Amina Mohammed characterized the Sahel as “Ground Zero” for one of the world’s most brutal security crises.
Despite efforts by member states, terrorist deaths in the region have skyrocketed past 6,000 for the third year in a row, accounting for more than half of global deaths.
“Walking Call”
Türk said the “calculated attack” on Fambita Mosque should be “a call for awakening to all people, including the international community, “the situation facing civilians in Niger and the severity of the growing risks.
Governments in the region continue to struggle to restore security. This was two military coups in Mali, two in Burkina Faso and the other contributed to Niger from 2020 to 2023.
The High Commissioner called on Nigerian authorities to take “specific and meaningful measures” to improve the security of civilians, and called on effective measures to maintain human rights and the rule of law.
He said it is essential for authorities to engage communities affected by efforts to find durable solutions to the ongoing human rights crisis in the country.
