La loi contre le trafic illicite de migrant·es au Niger. État des lieux d’un assemblage judiciaire et sécuritaire à l’épreuve de la mobilité transnationale

This article analyzes the anti-trafficking law adopted in 2015 in Niger through interviews with people arrested in three cities (Zinder, Agadez and Niamey). It presents personal stories and the daily work of Nigerien judicial authorities in relation to their external support and cooperation with actors in the field of international justice and security reinforcement. I discuss the ongoing heterogeneous processes of translation between international, European and Nigerien stakeholders, who adopted this law as a legal and security assemblage. Beyond its function of fighting against irregular migration towards Europe, the law also frames migration as a security threat in relation to terrorism and is, as such, part of a larger strategy for the State of Niger to strengthen its authority.