In the Fulfulde language, Domol Leydi translates to “Guardians of the land.” Within Niger’s administration, this name now designates territorial self-defense organizations. A new volunteer corps was established by ordinance during the Council of Ministers meeting on Friday, March 27, aimed at strengthening the fight against jihadist groups that have been active in the Sahelian country since 2017.

These auxiliaries to the defense and security forces will be “chosen from among former soldiers native to the concerned areas or from among the inhabitants of these areas,” as outlined in a government communiqué. They will be placed under the command of the army. According to the news outlet Actu Niger, their responsibilities will include missions of “awareness, intelligence, and self-defense of their respective territories.”

“Arming the people to save the Fatherland: the colossal challenge of the ‘Domol Leydi’,” was the front-page headline of the Nigerien daily newspaper L’Enquêteur in its print edition on March 30. The publication hailed the move as a “decisive turning point in our asymmetric war.”

Delegating a portion of legitimate force

“Who better knows the bushy trails, hidden water points, and suspicious movements than the children of the village?” the media outlet argued, giving credit to the authorities. However, the initiative, which “fuels