Volunteers for the Defense of Niger

The Volunteers for the Defense of Niger (Volontaires pour la défense du Niger, VDN) is a civilian militia force to combat a potential military intervention by ECOWAS. It is on the side of Abdourahamane Tchiani and the National Council for the Safeguard of the Homeland, the ruling military junta of Niger, during the 2023 Nigerien crisis.

Formation
The junta announced the formation of the Volunteers for the Defense of Niger (VDN) on 19 August 2023. Recruitment for volunteers was expected to commence on 26 August in Niamey.