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As a prelude to the experience-sharing forum of the Confederation of Sahel States on handling the surrender and reintegration of ex-combatants which opens this morning in Niamey through the meeting of experts, 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 support for the surrender of ex-combatants associated with non-state armed groups, Mr. Mallam Goni Ibrahim.
In his remarks, the national coordinator of stabilization programs and support for the surrender of ex-combatants associated with non-state armed groups explained that this forum comes at a time when initiatives for managing ex-associates are intensifying in the country. “It will be an opportunity for representatives and experts from the AES States, and beyond, to meet for exchanges of experiences and networking with a view to harmonizing responses and capacities in order 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 the responses in terms of Disarmament, Demobilization, and Reintegration (DDR) and Prosecution, Rehabilitation and Reintegration (PRR). It is also about promoting regional consultation on harmonized approaches to DDR and PRR, identifying common challenges and solutions adapted to the regional context, sharing national operational experiences on the management of ex-associates and proposing 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-actor coordination and dialogue platform around DDR/PRR policies and strategies, identify common challenges as well as propose solutions. regional initiatives adapted to the context of the region within the AES, the development of a roadmap on the integrated management of ex-associates of armed groups, the production of a final report of the forum 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 security components of national non-military strategies to combat insecurity. They will establish consensus on how the management strategies of the surrender of ex-associates can be implemented in various national contexts. Participants will also discuss practical ways to cooperate and support 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 of public institutions, national and international experts, technical and financial partners, as well as civil society actors engaged in the promotion of peace and security. “It is an initiative that makes it possible to fight against terrorism without firing a single shot which has already proven itself in Niger, because thousands of young people have laid down their weapons. Better still, it attracted the countries of the sub-region who also expressed their interest in sharing and exchanging on good practices. In terms of experience, Niger was the pioneer and this inspired the United Nations System which also took a resolution,” he concluded.
Abdoulaye Mamane (ONEP)
