The head of the African Union Commission, Mahmoud Ali Youssouf, has condemned the attack on the Hamani Diori International Airport in Niamey, Niger during the night of 28 to 29 January 2026 by armed individuals.
Youssouf said in a statement on Saturday that the loss of innocent lives in an earlier attack on Sunday, 18 January 2026, in the village of Bosiye, in western Niger is deeply regrettable.
”In this regard, the Chairperson of the Commission condemns in the strongest terms these heinous acts, which form part of the campaign of terror conducted by violent extremist groups deliberately targeting civilian populations and public infrastructure” said the statement.
He commended the swift and effective response of the Nigerien security forces, which made it possible to contain the attack on the airport.
He expressed the solidarity and compassion of the African Union with the people of Niger and extends his sincere condolences to the families of the victims, as well as to the government.
He further acknowledged the efforts undertaken by the Nigerien authorities in the fight against violent extremism and terrorism, particularly through operations conducted by the Nigerien Armed Forces.
Yousouf also praised what he called the significant results achieved during the recent large-scale operation in the Tillabéri region, which led to the neutralisation of several armed elements, the disruption of terrorist groups, and the recovery of property previously looted from local populations.
He described terrorism and violent extremism as serious threats to peace, stability and the territorial integrity of the affected states and reiterated the full readiness of the African Union Commission to continue supporting the efforts of the Nigerien authorities, in close coordination with states of the region and relevant partners.
WN/as/APA