From 7 to 9 February 2022, National Council President Irène Kälin visited the West African country of Niger, whose 24 million inhabitants in 2021 experienced the first democratic transfer of power in its history. The Swiss delegation included President Ignazio Cassis and ICRC President Peter Maurer.

The countries in the Sahel region – who are a focus of Switzerland’s Subsaharan Africa Strategy – are facing major challenges. Violent extremism is on the rise in the border regions, which is worsening the security situation in Niger, exacerbating the humanitarian crisis (around 3.7 million Nigeriens are dependent on humanitarian aid) and increasing poverty. The young population lacks job and educational opportunities. Not only is Niger one of the most vulnerable countries in the world1, it is also the most important transit country for migration flows from West Africa to Europe.

Humanitarian aid, education and migration were the central topics of the Swiss delegation’s trip to Niger.

  • At a physical rehabilitation centre in Agadez, the Swiss delegation met people with disabilities who are particularly in need of protection and support in fragile contexts. The ICRC centre provides them with aids such as wheelchairs and helps them to integrate into society and working life. The 2020-2023 Foreign Policy Strategy states Switzerland’s aim to partner with the ICRC to protect people in need and ensure international humanitarian law is respected. Traveling with a high-level delegation, President Ignazio Cassis underlined Switzerland's humanitarian tradition throughout the African continent.
  • Also on the agenda was a visit to a migration centre run by the International Organisation for Migration (IOM). The migration centre, which SEM promotes, offers support to stranded migrants and help with voluntary returns. From 2016 to 2021, the centre helped over 76,000 people. One of the aims of Switzerland’s migration policy is to support people at a local level and create opportunities for them; this also helps reduce irregular migration.

In the capital Niamey, the Swiss delegation met with Nigerien President Mohamed Bazoum, Prime Minister Ouhoumoudou Mahamadou, Foreign Minister Hassoumi Massoudou and other government representatives. Bilateral relations between Switzerland and Niger, international cooperation, regional issues, climate change and the ICRC’s commitment in the country were the main topics discussed.

In addition, National Council President Irène Kälin met with Kalla Ankourao, the vice-president of the National Assembly of Niger. During their meeting, the issues of democratisation, governance and the representation of women and ethnic minorities in politics (Niger’s quota system) were addressed.

12020 Human Development Report: http://hdr.undp.org/en/2020-report