Nigerien nationals board a bus to travel to neighboring countries as thousands of trucks carrying food, humanitarian aid and industrial equipment wait due to sanctions imposed by Niger's regional and international allies, in the border town of Malanville, Benin August 17, 2023. REUTERS/Coffi Seraphin Zounyekpe 

Beninese and Nigerien nationals use canoes and motorized boats to cross the Niger River in both directions as trucks carrying food, humanitarian aid and industrial equipment wait, due to sanctions imposed by Niger's regional and international allies, in the border town of Malanville, Benin August 17, 2023. REUTERS/Coffi Seraphin Zounyekpe 

Nigerien nationals prepare to travel to neighboring countries as trucks carrying food, humanitarian aid and industrial equipment wait due to sanctions imposed by Niger's regional and international allies, in the border town of Malanville, Benin August 17, 2023. REUTERS/Coffi Seraphin Zounyekpe 

Nigerien musician Omara "Bombino" Moctar plays on stage at the Ruby and Friends festival in Copenhagen, Denmark, July 7, 2023. REUTERS/Tom Little 

Nigerien musician Omara "Bombino" Moctar plays on stage at the Ruby and Friends festival in Copenhagen, Denmark, July 7, 2023. REUTERS/Tom Little 

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken shakes hands with Nigerien Foreign Minister Hassoumi Massoudou before departing Niger at the Diori Hamani International Airport in Niamey, Niger, on March 17, 2023. BOUREIMA HAMA/Pool via REUTERS 

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken poses for a photograph with Nigerien Foreign Minister Hassoumi Massoudou before departing Niger at the Diori Hamani International Airport in Niamey, Niger, on March 17, 2023. BOUREIMA HAMA/Pool via REUTERS 

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken shakes hands with Nigerien Foreign Minister Hassoumi Massoudou before departing Niger at the Diori Hamani International Airport in Niamey, Niger, on March 17, 2023. BOUREIMA HAMA/Pool via REUTERS 

U.S Secretary of State Antony Blinken meets with traditional leaders and Nigerian officials from the Hamdalaye area in Niamey, Niger, on March 16, 2023. BOUREIMA HAMA/Pool via REUTERS 

Almiska Alamjedi, the head of a group of tribal chiefs from the Nigerien commune of Inates, poses for a photo in Niamey, Niger, July 7, 2021. Picture taken July 7, 2021. To match Special Report AFRICA-ISLAMISTS/SAHEL-LEADERS REUTERS/Edward McAllister 

A convoy of Nigerien soldiers patrol outside the town of Ouallam, Niger, July 6, 2021. Picture taken July 6, 2021. To match Special Report AFRICA-ISLAMISTS/SAHEL-LEADERS REUTERS/Media Coulibaly 

Residents of the Nigerien village of Zerma Dare sit in a camp for displaced people in the town of Ouallam, Niger, July 6, 2021. Picture taken July 6, 2021. To match Special Report AFRICA-ISLAMISTS/SAHEL-LEADERS REUTERS/Media Coulibaly 

Niger's army soldiers sitting in the back of a truck escort Nigeriens who are heading north towards Libya as they leave Agadez, Niger October 29, 2019. Picture taken October 29, 2019. REUTERS/ Zohra Bensemra 

Niger's army soldiers ride a pickup while escorting Nigeriens heading north towards Libya as they leave Agadez, Niger October 29, 2019. Picture taken October 29, 2019. REUTERS/Zohra Bensemra 

Nigeriens sit in the back of trucks preparing to travel north towards Libya, while waiting for Niger army soldiers to escort them through the desert, on the outskirts of Agadez, Niger October 29, 2019. Picture taken October 29, 2019. REUTERS/Zohra Bensemra 

A street vendor boy pushes his cart as he passes Nigeriens sitting in the back of trucks, preparing to travel north towards Libya, while waiting for Niger army soldiers to escort them through the desert, on the outskirts of Agadez, Niger October 29, 2019. Picture taken October 29, 2019. REUTERS/ Zohra Bensemra 

Nigeriens sit in the back of a truck, preparing to travel north towards Libya while waiting for Niger army soldiers to escort them through the desert, on the outskirts of Agadez, Niger October 29, 2019. Picture taken October 29, 2019. REUTERS/Zohra Bensemra 

Nigeriens sit in the back of a truck, preparing to travel north towards Libya, while waiting for Niger army soldiers to escort them through the desert, on the outskirts of Agadez, Niger October 29, 2019. Picture taken October 29, 2019. REUTERS/Zohra Bensemra 

Nigeriens sit in the back of trucks, preparing to travel north towards Libya, while waiting for Niger army soldiers to escort them through the desert, on the outskirts of Agadez, Niger October 29, 2019. Picture taken October 29, 2019. REUTERS/ Zohra Bensemra 

Ousmane Issaka, a Nigerien student who said he had to sleep on the street outside his dormitory after the government ordered all educational establishments to close, one of measures to control the spread of coronavirus disease (COVID-19), prays inside his temporarily assigned room in Dakar, Senegal April 14, 2020. Picture taken April 14, 2020. REUTERS/Zohra Bensemra 

A Nigerien student who said he and other foreign students had to sleep on the street outside their dormitory after the government ordered all educational establishments to close, one of measures to control the spread of coronavirus disease (COVID-19), works in the corridor of his temporarily assigned residence in Dakar, Senegal April 14, 2020. Picture taken April 14, 2020. REUTERS/Zohra Bensemra 

A tray of eggs is pictured in a room temporarily assigned to Abdulkarim Abu Bakr, 22, and Ali Mahmoud, 22, Nigerien students who said they had to sleep on the street outside their dormitory after the government ordered all educational establishments to close, one of measures to control the spread of coronavirus disease (COVID-19), in Dakar, Senegal April 14, 2020. Picture taken April 14, 2020. REUTERS/Zohra Bensemra 

Abdulkarim Abu Bakr, 22 and Ali Mahmoud, 22, Nigerien students who said they had to sleep on the street outside their dormitory after the government ordered all educational establishments to close, one of measures to control the spread of coronavirus disease (COVID-19), work at their temporarily assigned residence in Dakar, Senegal April 14, 2020. Picture taken April 14, 2020. REUTERS/Zohra Bensemra 

A tray with bread and coffee packets is pictured at the room temporarily assigned to Ousmane Issaka, a Nigerien student who said he and other foreign students had to sleep on the street outside their dormitory after the government ordered all educational establishments to close, one of measures to control the spread of coronavirus disease (COVID-19), in Dakar, Senegal April 14, 2020. Picture taken April 14, 2020. REUTERS/Zohra Bensemra 

A Nigerien student who said he had to sleep on the street outside his dormitory after the government ordered all educational establishments to close, one of measures to control the spread of coronavirus disease (COVID-19), eats his snack at his temporarily assigned residence in Dakar, Senegal April 14, 2020. Picture taken April 14, 2020. REUTERS/Zohra Bensemra 

Ousmane Issaka, a Nigerien student who said he had to sleep on the street outside his dormitory after the government ordered all educational establishments to close, one of measures to control the spread of coronavirus disease (COVID-19), talks to his compatriot students at a temporarily assigned residence in Dakar, Senegal April 14, 2020. Picture taken April 14, 2020. REUTERS/Zohra Bensemra 

Ousmane Issaka, a Nigerien student who said had to sleep on the street outside his dormitory after the government ordered all educational establishments to close, one of measures to control the spread of coronavirus disease (COVID-19), prays inside his temporarily assigned room in Dakar, Senegal April 14, 2020. Picture taken April 14, 2020. REUTERS/Zohra Bensemra 

Hand sanitisers are pictured at a room temporarily assigned to Abdulkarim Abu Bakr, 22, and Ali Mahmoud, 22, Nigerien students who said they had to sleep on the street outside their dormitory after the government ordered all educational establishments to close, one of measures to control the spread of coronavirus disease (COVID-19), in Dakar, Senegal April 14, 2020. Picture taken April 14, 2020. REUTERS/Zohra Bensemra 

Ousmane Issaka, a Nigerien student who said he had to sleep on the street outside his dormitory after the government ordered all educational establishments to close, one of measures to control the spread of coronavirus disease (COVID-19), talks to his compatriot students at a temporarily assigned residence in Dakar, Senegal April 14, 2020. Picture taken April 14, 2020. REUTERS/Zohra Bensemra 

Ousmane Issaka, a Nigerien student who said he had to sleep on the street outside his dormitory after the government ordered all educational establishments to close, one of measures to control the spread of coronavirus disease (COVID-19), holds a cup of coffee as he talks to his mate at their new residence in Dakar, Senegal April 14, 2020. Picture taken April 14, 2020. REUTERS/Zohra Bensemra 

Ousmane Issaka, a Nigerien student who said he had to sleep on the street outside his dormitory after the government ordered all educational establishments to close, one of measures to control the spread of coronavirus disease (COVID-19), holds a cup of coffee as he talks to his mate at their new residence in Dakar, Senegal April 14, 2020. Picture taken April 14, 2020. REUTERS/Zohra Bensemra 

Ousmane Issaka, a Nigerien student who said he and other foreign students had to sleep on the street outside their dormitory after the government ordered all educational establishments to close, one of measures to control the spread of coronavirus disease (COVID-19), holds a meeting with his compatriot students at their temporarily assigned residence in Dakar, Senegal April 14, 2020. Picture taken April 14, 2020. REUTERS/Zohra Bensemra 

Ousmane Issaka, a Nigerien student who said he had to sleep on the street outside his dormitory after the government ordered all educational establishments to close, one of measures to control the spread of coronavirus disease (COVID-19), performs ablution with his mates before the prayer at their temporarily assigned residence in Dakar, Senegal April 14, 2020. Picture taken April 14, 2020. REUTERS/Zohra Bensemra 

Ousmane Issaka, a Nigerien student who said he had to sleep on the street outside his dormitory after the government ordered all educational establishments to close, one of measures to control the spread of coronavirus disease (COVID-19), walks outside his temporarily assigned room in Dakar, Senegal April 14, 2020. Picture taken April 14, 2020. REUTERS/Zohra Bensemra TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY 

Ousmane Issaka, a Nigerien student who said he had to sleep on the street outside his dormitory after the government ordered all educational establishments to close, one of measures to control the spread of coronavirus disease (COVID-19), walks outside his temporarily assigned room in Dakar, Senegal April 14, 2020. Picture taken April 14, 2020. REUTERS/Zohra Bensemra 

A Nigerien security agent participates in a simulated raid on a militant camp during the U.S. sponsored Flintlock exercises in Ouallam, Niger April 18, 2018. Picture taken April 18, 2018. REUTERS/Aaron Ross TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY 

Nigerien special forces troops debrief with their Canadian trainers after drills at the Flintlock exercises in Ouallam, Niger April 18, 2018. Picture taken April 18, 2018. REUTERS/Aaron Ross 

A Nigerien security agent participates in a simulated raid on a militant camp during the U.S. sponsored Flintlock exercises in Ouallam, Niger April 18, 2018. Picture taken April 18, 2018. REUTERS/Aaron Ross 

Nigerien commandos simulate a raid on a militant camp during the U.S. sponsored Flintlock exercises in Ouallam, Niger April 18, 2018. Picture taken April 18, 2018. REUTERS/Aaron Ross 

Stickers are seen on a truck that carried belongings of Nigerien migrants deported from Algeria in Agadez, Niger, May 6, 2016. Picture taken May 6, 2016. To match Analysis EUROPE-MIGRANTS/AFRICA REUTERS/Joe Penney 

Nigerien migrants deported from Algeria gather to retrieve their belongings at the International Organization for Migration (IOM) migrant transit center in Agadez, Niger, May 6, 2016. Picture taken May 6, 2016. To match Analysis EUROPE-MIGRANTS/AFRICA REUTERS/Joe Penney 

Nigerien soldiers patrol at the border with neighbouring Nigeria near the town of Diffa, Niger, June 21, 2016. Picture taken June 21, 2016. REUTERS/Luc Gnago 

Nigerien soldiers patrol at the border with neighbouring Nigeria near the town of Diffa, Niger, June 21, 2016. Picture taken June 21, 2016. REUTERS/Luc Gnago 

Nigerien soldiers patrol at the border with neighbouring Nigeria near the town of Diffa, Niger, June 21, 2016. Picture taken June 21, 2016. REUTERS/Luc Gnago 

Nigerien soldiers patrol at the border with neighbouring Nigeria near the town of Diffa, Niger, June 21, 2016. Picture taken June 21, 2016. REUTERS/Luc Gnago 

Aba Ali, a Nigerian refugee who fled from his village in northeastern Nigeria into Niger following Boko Haram attacks, reacts as he sits at the home of Adamu Moumouni, his Nigerien host who took him and his relatives in, in Diffa in southeastern Niger June 21, 2016. Picture taken June 21, 2016. REUTERS/Luc Gnago TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY

Nigerian refugees and displaced Nigeriens gather at the Boudouri site for displaced persons outside the town of Diffa in southeastern Niger June 18, 2016. Picture taken June 18, 2016. REUTERS/Luc Gnago 

Aba Ali, a Nigerian refugee who fled from his village in northeastern Nigeria into Niger following Boko Haram attacks, reacts as he sits at the home of Adamu Moumouni, his Nigerien host who took him and his relatives in, in Diffa in southeastern Niger June 21, 2016. Picture taken June 21, 2016. REUTERS/Luc Gnago 

Aba Ali, a Nigerian refugee who fled from his village in northeastern Nigeria into Niger following Boko Haram attacks, reacts as he sits at the home of Adamu Moumouni, his Nigerien host who took him and his relatives in, in Diffa in southeastern Niger June 21, 2016. Picture taken June 21, 2016. REUTERS/Luc Gnago 

Aba Ali, a Nigerian refugee who fled from his village in northeastern Nigeria into Niger following Boko Haram attacks, stands next to his relatives at the home of Adamu Moumouni, his Nigerien host who took them in, in Diffa in southeastern Niger June 21, 2016. Picture taken June 21, 2016. REUTERS/Luc Gnago 

Aba Ali, a Nigerian refugee who fled from his village in northeastern Nigeria into Niger following Boko Haram attacks, stands next to his relatives at the home of Adamu Moumouni, his Nigerien host who took them in, in Diffa in southeastern Niger June 21, 2016. Picture taken June 21, 2016. REUTERS/Luc Gnago 

Nigerian refugees, who fled from their village into Niger following Boko Haram attacks, stand in the yard of their Nigerien host in Diffa in southeastern Niger June 21, 2016. Picture taken June 21, 2016. REUTERS/Luc Gnago 

Lamido Souley Mani Orthe (L), a Fulani chief, stands with his bodyguard at his home in Diffa in southeastern Niger June 21, 2016. Lamido is a member of the commitee who, with other ethnic group chiefs and Nigerien authorities, attempts to resolve the conflict between nomadic Fulani herdsmen and members of the Buduma ethnic group. Picture taken June 21, 2016. REUTERS/Luc Gnago 

Lamido Souley Mani Orthe (2nd from L), a Fulani chief, poses for pictures with his family and his bodyguard at his home in Diffa in southeastern Niger June 21, 2016. Lamido is a member of the commitee who, with other ethnic group chiefs and Nigerien authorities, attempts to resolve the conflict between nomadic Fulani herdsmen and members of the Buduma ethnic group. Picture taken June 21, 2016. REUTERS/Luc Gnago 

Nigerien soldiers stand in guard towards the border with neighbouring Nigeria near the town of Diffa, Niger, June 21,2016.REUTERS/Luc Gnago 

Nigerien displaced people carry water in a camp of the city of Diffa, Niger June 18, 2016. REUTERS/Luc Gnago 

A Nigerien displaced woman and her son are seen in a camp of the city of Diffa, Niger June 17, 2016. REUTERS/Luc Gnago 

A Nigerien displaced woman is seen at a camp of the city of Diffa, Niger June 17, 2016. REUTERS/Luc Gnago 

A Nigerien soldier stands guard near a camp of the city of Diffa, during the visit of Niger's Interior Minister Mohamed Bazoum following attacks by Boko Haram fighters in the region of Diffa, Niger June 18, 2016. REUTERS/Luc Gnago 

A Nigerien displaced girl reacts at a camp of the city of Diffa, Niger June 18, 2016. REUTERS/Luc Gnago