Niger has officially withdrawn from the Multinational Joint Task Force (MNJTF), a regional military coalition formed to combat Boko Haram and Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) in the Lake Chad Basin. The decision signals a shift in the junta-led government’s security priorities, focusing on safeguarding key oil installations and national interests.
Established in 2015, the MNJTF comprises forces from Nigeria, Chad, Cameroon, and Niger. However, the force has faced persistent challenges, including poor coordination, logistical hurdles, and internal disputes, allowing militant groups to continue deadly attacks.
Niger’s exit adds uncertainty to the future of the MNJTF, especially after Chad previously considered pulling out following a devastating assault on its troops. The decision also raises concerns over the increasing influence of armed groups, with attacks such as the recent massacre of 44 worshippers at a mosque highlighting the ongoing threat.
Since the July 2023 military coup, Niger has distanced itself from regional coalitions, formally leaving ECOWAS in 2024 alongside fellow military-led states Burkina Faso and Mali. The ruling junta has now established a five-year transition plan toward civilian governance while prioritizing domestic security and economic self-sufficiency.
