In preamble to the experience-sharing forum of the Sahel States Confederation on the handling of demobilization and reintegration of ex-combatants, a press conference was held yesterday, Monday, May 18, 2026, at the Mahatma Gandhi International Conference Center in Niamey by the national coordinator of stabilization programs and the handling of ex-combatants’ surrender, associated with non-state armed groups, Mr. Mallam Goni Ibrahim.
In his remarks, the national coordinator of stabilization programs and the handling of ex-combatants’ surrender, associated with non-state armed groups, explained that this forum comes at a time when initiatives for managing former associates are intensifying in the country. “It will be an opportunity for representatives and experts from the AES states to come together for exchanges of experiences and networking to harmonize responses and capacities to meet the challenges of peace and security posed by armed groups in their space,” he announced.
Mr. Mallam Goni Ibrahim explained that the general objective of the forum is to have a common understanding of the security challenges posed by armed groups and responses in terms of Disarmament, Demobilization, and Reintegration (DDR) and Pursuit, Reempowerment, and Reintegration (PRR). It also aims to promote regional consultation on harmonized approaches to DDR and PRR, identify common challenges and suitable solutions in the regional context, share national operational experiences on managing former associates and propose an institutional framework for coordination on DDR and PRR.
This forum is expected to create a regional coordination framework on DDR/PRR, share experiences, lessons learned, and knowledge on DDR/PRR, establish a multi-stakeholder coordination and dialogue platform around DDR/PRR policies and strategies, identify common challenges and propose regional solutions adapted to the AES context, develop a roadmap for the integrated management of ex-associates of armed groups, produce a final forum report including recommendations and an action plan for the next steps.
Mr. Mallam Goni Ibrahim announced that participants will share progress and challenges in implementing the non-military components of national security strategies to combat insecurity. They will reach a consensus on how strategies for managing the surrender of former associates can be implemented in diverse national contexts. Participants will also discuss practical means of cooperating and supporting each other.
This experience-sharing forum is a joint initiative of the Government of Niger and the United Nations Development Program (UNDP). It will bring together representatives from public institutions, national and international experts, technical and financial partners, as well as civil society actors engaged in peace and security promotion. “It is an initiative that allows combating terrorism without firing a single shot, which has already proven its worth in Niger, as thousands of young people have laid down their arms. Furthermore, it has attracted the countries in the sub-region who have also shown interest in sharing and exchanging best practices. In terms of experience, Niger has been a pioneer, inspiring the United Nations System, which has taken a resolution,” he concluded.
Abdoulaye Mamane (ONEP)
