Niger is pressing ahead with an initiative to talk to jihadists whose attacks have shaken the country’s southwest, amid fears that a new wave of bloodshed lies ahead. President Mohamed Bazoum first reached out to the jihadists “three months ago,” offering “an extended hand” to youngsters who had been recruited to an Islamic State-linked group, a source said. Last month, Bazoum announced he had begun “discussions” with jihadists as part of “the search for peace.” He said he had released several militants and received them at the presidential palace, adding that he had also dispatched envoys to …