Niger forms ‘Shield of the Nation’ militia to fight insurgents

Niger forms ‘Shield of the Nation’ militia to fight insurgents

Niger has unveiled a new militia called “Shield of the Nation” to support government forces against armed groups whose attacks have intensified since the July 26, 2023 coup, officials said. The force will be led by the “Sacred Union to Safeguard the People’s Sovereignty and Dignity,” a military-aligned movement close to the Nigerien army, which has struggled to reassert control over large swaths of territory lost to insurgents. Authorities said …