Niger: General Tiani decriminalises anti-migrant law

In a tit-for-tat move, President Tiani of the transitional government in Niger signed an ordinance on Monday, November 27, repealing the law criminalizing migrant trafficking. This decision comes as a direct response to the strained relations between Niger and the European Union.

In 2015, under the leadership of Mohamed Bazoum, Niger enacted a law imposing imprisonment and fines for illicit migrant trafficking.

According to this law, individuals facilitating the illegal entry or exit of non-citizens or non-permanent residents in Niger, or providing them with fraudulent travel or identity documents, could face imprisonment ranging from three to ten years and fines of 1 to 5 million CFA francs.

This law was prompted by encouragement from the European Union, which aimed to reduce the number of migrants reaching its territory.

The EU’s support led to a significant decrease in the number of West African migrants transiting Niger to reach Libya or Algeria to Europe.

Official figures show a drop from 350 per day to 100 per week. Additionally, Niger transitioned from a transit country to one that retains migrants, who are subsequently repatriated to their countries of origin by the International Organization for Migration (IOM).

However, relations between Brussels and Niamey have soured since the coup in July that ousted President Bazoum.

The recent repeal by Niger is perceived as a direct response to the financial sanctions imposed by the EU, which once again called for the immediate release of the deposed president last week.

While some observers suggest that this move by General Tiani is a means to exert pressure on the European Union, others argue that decriminalizing migrant trafficking may reignite economic activities around migration.

Titi Keita