The Niger government has adopted a draft ordinance creating territorial self-defense groups known as “Domol Leydi,” as part of efforts to strengthen national security.
Approved during a Council of Ministers meeting chaired by Head of State Abdourahamane Tiani, these volunteer-based units will focus on awareness, intelligence gathering, and local defense, acting as auxiliaries to the Defense and Security Forces.
The initiative builds on the general mobilization declared in December 2025, which outlines the responsibilities of citizens and institutions in supporting the country’s war effort.
Under this framework, authorities may requisition people and resources for national defense, while citizens are required to cooperate with security services and report suspicious activities.
The “Domol Leydi,” meaning “guardians of the land,” will operate under state supervision and receive official support, reflecting a broader militarization of national organization.
Similar to community-based defense models in the Sahel, such as Burkina Faso’s Volunteers for the Defence of the Homeland, the move aims to counter persistent jihadist threats in regions like Diffa, Tillabéri, and Tahoua, though it also raises concerns about potential abuses and rising communal tensions.
