The Nigerien army announced that it had repelled an attack by the Patriotic Movement for Liberty and Justice (MPLJ) on February 10. The assault targeted the strategic site of Djibeilla, a key point on the oil pipeline linking the Agadem oil block to the port of Sèmè in Benin.

Two versions of events

The outcome of the confrontation remains uncertain, with each side claiming the advantage:

1. Niamey's version: The army claims to have reacted "vigorously," forcing the attackers—who came from neighboring Chad in about ten vehicles—to flee, abandoning equipment and bodies. Images of seized vehicles and equipment have been released to support this claim.
2. MPLJ version: The rebel group claims instead to have killed at least 24 soldiers and caused significant damage to oil infrastructure, conceding only one loss in its ranks.

Oil: a matter of sovereignty and dispute

This 2,000 km pipeline, operated in partnership with the China National Petroleum Corporation (CNPC) , is the economic lifeline of Niger and Benin. For the regime of General Abdourahamane Tiani, securing this "black gold" is an absolute priority in its quest for sovereignty.

Conversely, the MPLJ uses this infrastructure as leverage for two main reasons:

1. Politics: The movement demands the release of ousted president Mohamed Bazoum and a return to constitutional order.
2. Social: Coming mainly from the Toubou community, these rebels denounce an inequitable distribution of oil revenues and demand more benefits for the local populations of the northeast.

Warning: The armed group explicitly threatened the Chinese company CNPC, warning that any cooperation with the ruling junta would expose it to further attacks.