Niamey – In the presence of State authorities and international partners, EUCAP Sahel Niger and IOM representatives placed yesterday (10/10) the first stone of the new complex for the Mobile Border Control Company (CMCF) in Birni N’Konni, in the region of Tahoua, funded by the Federal Republic of Germany and the Kingdom of the Netherlands.

Niger shares a long border with Nigeria characterized by significant cross-border flows of both goods and persons. The cross-border region faces a number of security challenges, including trafficking in persons, weapons, and narcotics, and the presence of criminal networks.

This challenging context across a vast border region requires an adequate security response while continuing to effectively manage flows of persons and goods across this important commercial corridor.

The Mobile Border Control Company (known by the French acronym “CMCF”) is an innovative operational tool developed by Nigerien governmental authorities with support from EUCAP Sahel Niger.

With over 250 staff and significant mobility, the newly-established mobile company will enhance the surveillance, monitoring and safeguarding of Niger’s border regions and actively contribute to combatting challenges such as organized crime, terrorism and irregular migration.

The company will also assist the authorities and civil society to strengthen the relationship with local communities living in remote areas. Through the project, a new complex of buildings will be built and fully equipped in the town of Birni N’Konni over the next six months. The complex has been designed to provide the office space and facilities necessary to ensure the full operational and logistical capacity of the mobile company, while also ensuring its safety.

The mobile company in the region of Tahoua will be the second of its kind in Niger, with a first unit established in the region of Maradi in 2017. The creation of this second unit aims to further strengthen the government’s capacity to ensure the successful management of Niger’s borders.

“The CMCF is an innovative and cross-cutting project for Niger that combines border surveillance, control and security to effectively tackle insecurity and irregular migration,” stated Frank Van Der Mueren, Head of Mission for EUCAP Sahel Niger. “Niger now has a brand-new police unit that can operate in almost all of the country’s border regions. Given the scale of this project, we are particularly grateful for the support of our national and international partners.”

As part of an ongoing partnership with EUCAP Sahel Niger, the construction of the complex will be managed and implemented by the Immigration and Border Management Unit (IBM) of IOM Niger.

“We are proud to mark today the success of our ongoing partnership with the National Police of Niger and EUCAP Sahel Niger,” said Barbara Rijks, IOM’s Chief of Mission in Niger. “Together, we aim to ensure an effective border management in the country.”

In collaboration with the National Police Academy, the Belgian Special Forces Group and the Royal Netherlands Marechaussee, part of the Netherlands’ Armed Forces, EUCAP Sahel Niger conducted a 6-month intense training programme for the unit’s personnel. The mission also provided technical equipment to the National Police and will cover the running costs for the first three years.

In line with the need for a maximum state presence on the ground, the company will ensure a 24/7 presence. Divided into five sections, the company will already be deployed later this year with the whole project reaching full operational capacity in August 2020.

For more information, please contact:

Sandra Kreutzer at EUCAP Sahel Niger, Tel: +227 9219 3311, Email: sandra.kreutzer@eucap-sahel.eu

Monica Chiriac at IOM Niger, Tel: +227 8931 8764, Email: mchiriac@iom.int.