Drug Trafficking Routes Through Niger Remain Open Under Junta

An investigation reveals that drug trafficking routes through Niger remain fully operational, spanning borders with Mali, Algeria, and Libya, and connecting Gulf of Guinea ports to European markets. Following the death of former kingpin Chérif Ould Abidine, his ex-lieutenants have taken over operations, now reportedly with complicity from individuals linked to the ruling junta that seized power in 2023. The report highlights how political instability and weak border control have enabled a seamless continuation of narcotics flows, despite international pressure and sanctions on the junta. The routes are critical for cocaine and other drugs moving northward, with Niger serving as a key transit hub in the Sahel. The involvement of junta-linked figures suggests state-level facilitation, complicating regional counter-narcotics efforts and international diplomatic engagement. The findings underscore the broader security vacuum in the Sahel, where militant groups and organized crime increasingly overlap.

Global Impact

Politically, the junta's alleged involvement in drug trafficking undermines its legitimacy and may harden international sanctions, deepening Niger's isolation. Economically, the drug economy provides a parallel revenue stream that could sustain the junta despite sanctions, while also fueling corruption and weakening state institutions.