The Links between Conflict and Hunger in Niger – Conflict, Hunger and Aid Access (October 2023) – Niger

This report forms part of a series examining the links between conflict and hunger. It focuses on reported conflict events affecting food security in Niger between 1 January 2015 and 28 September 2023. The analysis is based on the Food Insecurity and Violent Conflict (FIVC)-Niger dataset, an event-based dataset compiled by Insecurity Insight from open sources and partner contributions for this period. This data is available on HDX. The analysis is supported by key informant interviews and surveys conducted remotely with NGOs in Niger in August and September 2023. Among reported incidents are those involving the looting (i.e. stealing) of livestock; the burning of granaries and markets; killings and abductions of farmers, pastoralists and fishers; and violent clashes between sedentary farmers and nomadic pastoralists. Restrictions imposed on cross-border movements following Niger’s military coup in July 2023 have led to the suspension of some food aid deliveries and have exacerbated difficulties for civilians in accessing food, especially members of vulnerable demographic groups.

Key findings

• At least 697 conflict events directly affecting food security were reported in Niger between 1 January 2015 and 28 September 2023. There has been a marked increase in reported incidents in the past three years. Over 85% of all incidents have occurred since the start of 2020 alone.

• Almost 90% of all incidents reported between 2015 and 2023 were in three regions of Niger: Tillabéri, Maradi and Diffa. High incident numbers were also reported in Tahoua, despite key informants highlighting that severe access restrictions are likely to have created considerable reporting barriers.

• Approximately 60% of all reported incidents involved the looting of livestock, mainly cattle, but also sheep, goats and camels. Owing to the centrality of livestock to the livelihoods of pastoral and agropastoral communities, this has had severely negative consequences. Simultaneously, it has created a vicious cycle that helps to perpetuate conflict violence by providing revenue for armed groups, which sell the livestock they have stolen.

• Other commonly reported incidents included violent clashes between farmers and pastoralists; the burning of granaries, especially in the Tillabéri region; and killings and abductions of farmers, pastoralists and fishers.

• In addition to conflict events directly affecting food security, general insecurity has created considerable restrictions on farmers’ and pastoralists’ ability to access their farmlands and therefore on their ability to grow and harvest crops and graze livestock. This has also intensified tensions between farmers and pastoralists.

• The military coup of July 2023 and subsequent sanctions imposed by ECOWAS has exacerbated challenges for civilians in Niger. Food prices have risen and restrictions on the movement of goods, especially across the borders with Nigeria and Benin, have further undermined food availability. In some cases these pressures have led to civilians adopting negative coping strategies such as foregoing meals and prematurely harvesting crops.

• NGOs have felt uncertain about their freedom to act in accordance with humanitarian principles following the declaration at the end of August 2023 by Niger’s military government that NGOs are not permitted to operate in zones where military operations are under way.