Niger declares state of emergency in areas bordering Mali

Niger has declared a state of emergency in regions near the county’s border with Mali .

According to a government statement broadcast on state media on Friday, the state of emergency would be enforced in seven departments within Tilaberi and Tahoua.

The statement said,” repeated attacks in the areas have endangered the security of the population and public order.”

It added, security forces would now be granted additional powers including the right to search homes any time.

The two regions have witnessed several deadly attacks on army posts and refugee camps, which authorities in the country blame jihadists based in Mali.

Niger’s government also renewed a state of emergency in the southeast of the country.

The declaration comes at at time that three jihadist groups based in nothern Mali announced on Friday they had merged, pledging allegiance to al-Qaeda.