Niger Repeals 2015 Anti-Migration Law That Curbed Movement Of Africans En-Route To Europe

Niger’s junta recently signed a decree to annul a 2015 law aimed at curbing migrant smuggling through a key migration route in the country, as reported in a government circular issued on Monday.

The decree, signed by Gen. Abdourahmane Tchiani, revokes the law, resulting in the cancellation of convictions related to it. Ibrahim Jean Etienne, the secretary general of the justice ministry, confirmed that those convicted under the law would be considered for release.

This decision, occurring amid ongoing political tensions between Niger and EU countries following the July coup, adds complexity to the diplomatic relationship. The law, developed in collaboration with the European Union, aimed to halt the movement of thousands of migrants passing through Niger’s Agadez region en route to Europe.

Agadez serves as a critical route both for migrants attempting to reach Libya for Mediterranean crossings and for those returning home with UN assistance. However, the region has also attracted people smugglers, prompting the law’s enactment empowering security forces and courts to prosecute smugglers.

While the law initially transformed Niger into a hub for housing migrants returning to their countries, it also led migrants to seek more perilous routes, raising concerns about human rights violations.

Following the July coup, Western and European countries suspended aid, resulting in economic hardship for Nigeriens and strengthening the junta’s position, leading to the establishment of a transitional government.

The recent revocation of Law 36-2015 further strains diplomatic relations between Niger and its Western partners. Critics of the law have condemned it as an imposition by the EU on Niger’s governance. Others highlight its economic impact, leading to the collapse of livelihoods reliant on migration-based businesses in Agadez.

The law’s enforcement saw a decline in migration through the Sahel, but it led to the emergence of more perilous routes, keeping migrants away from security agents’ reach and fostering extrajudicial abuses.

The junta’s recent decision signals a shift in Niger’s stance, aiming to reassert its sovereignty and distance itself from Western influences. This move aligns with the government’s efforts to consolidate its power and navigate the region’s fragile security situation.

The repeal of this law holds symbolic significance for Northern Niger, resonating with sentiments against perceived foreign influences and the economic hardships faced due to restrictive migration policies.

As the country navigates this change, voices within and outside Niger applaud the restoration of freedom of movement, emphasising the importance of equitable migration policies within the ECOWAS space.