On 21 March, assailants from the so-called Islamic State within the Better Sahara (ISGS) – an ISIL affiliate – surrounded Fambita Mosque and randomly shot at worshippers, in accordance with a press release from Niger’s defence ministry. They then reportedly set a market and several other houses on fireplace.
“The egregious attack on the Fambita Mosque – throughout Friday prayers within the final 10 days of the Muslim holy month of Ramadan – was clearly meant to trigger as many civilian casualties as doable”, stated Mr Türk.
That is “in stark violation of worldwide human rights regulation and humanitarian regulation,” he emphasised, including that an neutral investigation should be instituted to deliver these accountable to justice.
Regional insecurity
The attack got here within the context of a normal deterioration within the safety scenario within the wider Sahel area.
Lately, the Sahel has seen a serious uptick in violence, following the enlargement of armed teams linked to al-Qaeda and ISIL terrorist teams which took over territory in north Mali following the 2012 Tuareg riot there.
Since then, the violence has unfold into neighbouring international locations, Niger and Burkina Faso, and extra just lately into another coastal West African nations.
UN Deputy Secretary-Common Amina Mohammed characterised the Sahel as “floor zero” for one of the crucial brutal safety crises on this planet.
Regardless of efforts by Member States, terrorism-related deaths within the area have reportedly soared previous 6,000 for 3 consecutive years, making up greater than half of all international fatalities.
‘A wake-up name’
Mr. Türk stated the “calculated assault” on Fambita Mosque should be a wake-up name to all – together with the worldwide group – “as to the seriousness of the scenario and the widening dangers confronted by civilians in Niger.”
Governments within the area have continued to wrestle with restoring safety. This contributed to 2 navy coups in Mali, two in Burkina Faso and one in Niger between 2020 and 2023 – all stay beneath navy rule regardless of regional and worldwide stress to carry elections.
The Excessive Commissioner known as on the Nigerien authorities to take “concrete and significant steps” to enhance safety for civilians and known as on them to take efficient measures to uphold human rights and the rule of regulation.
He stated it was important that authorities contain the affected communities in efforts in direction of discovering a sturdy resolution to the continued human rights disaster within the nation.
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