Hunting has long been a customary activity across the expansive sandy plains of West Africa’s Sahel region, but escalating violence associated with a decade-long struggle against Islamist insurgents has restricted the hunting grounds for individuals like Abdou Kouda in Niger.
Abdou Kouda, a 53-year-old hunter, reminisces about the past when hunters were free to roam and hunt with only formal authorization. However, the current security situation has made obtaining permission from authorities challenging, as they perceive hunters as potential obstacles amid the prevailing insecurity.
Accompanied by his hound, Kouda and his hunting companions traverse the dry scrubland near Niamey on foot or motorbike, hoping to capture small game like hares. Yet, the days of returning home with plentiful catches are becoming increasingly rare. The dwindling prey population, including ground squirrels, bustards, and guinea fowl, is attributed to more hunters converging in limited, authorized hunting zones.
Elhaj Aboubacar Mai Doukia, president of a local hunters’ association, highlights the conundrum faced by hunters, wherein they find themselves forced into areas with sparse game due to restrictions imposed by authorities.
Niger’s security landscape has deteriorated in recent months, marked by a surge in Islamist group attacks following a military coup last July. The plight of hunters reflects just one facet of the broader impact of the protracted conflict, which has precipitated a humanitarian crisis, displacing over 3 million people as of December.
The challenges encountered by Nigerien hunters underscore the multifaceted repercussions of the ongoing conflict on communities across the region.
