Le Gouvernement du Niger annonce la fermeture de la Zone d’Accueil de Tazalit
Le Gouvernement du Niger a fait part à l’UNHCR de sa décision de fermeture définitive de la Zone d’Accueil des Réfugiés (ZAR) maliens de Tazalit. Le 6 octobre 2016 une attaque avait causé le décès de 22 militaires en charge d’assurer la sécurité de la ZAR.
Pour les réfugiés de Tazalit, la relocalisation volontaire vers la Zone d’Accueil d’Intikane est aujourd’hui proposée. Sur le terrain, échanges et sensibilisations auprès des réfugiés de Tazalit et d’Intikane sont en cours. Les discussions se poursuivent entre l’UNHCR et les autorités pour définir les modalités techniques et les actions conjointes pour accompagner la mise en œuvre de cette décision dans la sécurité et la dignité des refugies.
3854 réfugiés maliens sont actuellement présents à Tazalit, 18241 à Intikane.
UNHCR is shocked and saddened to hear of a deadly attack on a Malian ‘refugee hosting area’ in the west of Niger yesterday, the 6th of October.
At approximately 3:00pm, the military position in the refugee hosting area of Tazalit in the region of Tahoua, bordering Mali was attacked by a group of armed assailants, whose identities are not yet known. The attack resulted in the deaths of 22 Nigerien military officers and the injury of five others. It is reported that the remaining three military officers who were at the post at the time, managed to escape unharmed. The ‘refugee hosting area’ currently hosts almost 4,000 refugees, however none were harmed during the attack.
It is reported that the armed assailants arrived to the site in two pick up trucks. Witnesses say that following the attack, the assailants stayed in the area for up to 2 hours, and looted the health centre, stealing a significant stock of medication. They also burned a UNHCR ambulance, which was at the site. No UNHCR staff or partners were present when the attack took place. The attackers then stole a military vehicle and fled the scene, before support arrived.
This is not the first attack against security forces guarding Malian refugee camps in Niger. Less than one month ago, on the 10th of September, armed assailants attacked the security post at the camp of Tabareybarey in the region of Tillabery, which also borders Mali and is home to almost 10,000 refugees. A young Malian refugee woman of 18 years was killed, as well as a 5 year old refugee boy, while five others were shot and wounded.
UNHCR strongly condemns these acts of violence against Niger’s military forces, working to protect and secure the safety of vulnerable Malian refugees, who have been forced to flee their country since violence and civil war broke out in 2012. UNHCR are also troubled by the increasing number of violent incidents in the western regions of Niger bordering Mali, including ambushes, armed robbery and mine incidents.
Immediately following the attacks, UNHCR sent a team from Niamey to the site to identify the needs and provide a response. Senior management will travel to the area on Saturday to meet with the community and the authorities and express support and solidarity.
Despite the fact that the Algiers Peace Accord was signed in June 2015 between several of the conflicting parties in Mali, inter-communal and inter-ethnic violence continues in the northern part of the country, forcing more refugees to flee to neighboring Niger. The UN MINUSMA forces in Kidal in Northern Mali also suffered attacks and casualties during the week.
Niger currently hosts over 60,000 Malian refugees, and welcomed over 5,000 new arrivals in 2016 alone. Niger also hosts over 80,000 Nigerian refugees in the east of the country. UNHCR respects and appreciates the solidarity shown by the Niger government welcoming vulnerable refugees fleeing both Mali and northern Nigeria. UNHCR’s MoU with the Niger government regarding the provision of security in the refugee camps and hosting areas was amended in August to include the camps in the Diffa region, hosting refugees fleeing Boko Haram.
Arrivées de 674 réfugiés maliens dans la ZAR de Tazalite
Au cours de la première quinzaine du mois d’octobre, la zone d’accueil de réfugiés (ZAR) de Tazalite, située à 6 heures de route au nord de la ville de Tahoua, a enregistré l’arrivée de 674 réfugiés maliens (142 ménages). Essentiellement composés de famille d’éleveurs, ces nouveaux arrivants sont originaires de Menaka et Andremboukane. Parmi eux certains avaient refusés la relocalisation en 2013 année de création de la ZAR par peur de ne pas trouver les pâturages suffisants pour leur bétail. L’insécurité persistante dans le nord Mali se traduisant en risques physiques et problèmes d’accès aux pâturages est la principale raison expliquant leur choix de se rendre dans la ZAR aujourd’hui.
Près de 2500 réfugiés maliens vivent d’ors et déjà dans la ZAR de Tazalite. Les infrastructures et mécanismes existants en termes d’accès à l’eau et à la santé, vont permettre de répondre aux besoins de cette population additionnelle. Une réponse en abris et biens alimentaires est en cours.