Niger: General Tchiani doesn’t accept any interference…

We are surprised to see the reaction of France, European Union and African Union.

We want to remind them that Niger is a sovereign country and no foreign pressure could divert us from the objectives that the CNSP has set itself” (Général Abdourahmane Tchiani, 29.07.2023).

We warn ECOWAS and its allies against any military intervention in Niamey, therefore we will be obliged to defend ourselves to the last energy.

WE ARE READY !” (Général Abdourahmane Tchiani, 29.07.2023).

On the 26th July 2023 the government of President Mohamed Bazoum was overthrown by the army. Army Commanders who was ready and they put him under house-arrest. They was lead by General Abdourahmane Tchiani and he is now in charge of the transitional government, which is called Conseil National de la Sauvegarde de la Patrie or the CNSP. It resembles the ones that are in Mali, Guinea and in Burkina Faso.

Gen. Tchiani wasn’t the first one people thought would takeover or be in-charge. No, that was initially mentioned Gen. Salifou Mody, who was a former Cheif of Staff in army and a diplomat. However, as previously stated it was the coup maker and the one behind it who was announced the interim President Gen. Tchiani.

Now, Gen. Tchiani is getting the pressure from the outside. The former colonial overlords in France wants him to step down and let Bazoum return to office. While the European Union, France and United States of America is freezing all aid to the nation. Also, in addition to the pressure of ECOWAS and African Union, which have separate meetings on the crisis in Niger.

Gen. Tchiani hopefully saw this one coming. Because, this here will not be easy. There is internal support and outside pressure. This is yet another Republic who succumb to the army commanders and in turn isn’t civilian lead. Instead they are run by the armies and their chain-of-command. Which is another structure and power dynamic than the ones elected through general elections. Therefore, the suspension of the constitution and other decrees are to be followed.

Gen. Tchiani will rule by decree and orders. He will become the personification of the state. That’s because everything is vested in him. The General has absolute power and can chose what to do with it. Neither is he elected or a man who was destined to be there. He took power and grabbed it in an instance. The General ceased a moment and found a weakness in the system…. Which in this regard he beat it and now is on top.

That’s why the pressure from the former colonizer comes and the Western allies does too. While we can be a bit amused by the ECOWAS and AU. As they are usually toothless and needs support elsewhere to do anything.

We have to wait and see how this one plays out. Certainly the mineral rich nation will be on the minds of the Western hemisphere. Just as it will be welcomed elsewhere too. There will be speculations about whose behind it and who profits from it. We know the French would be giddy, if they had toppled someone and gotten their “man” in office. They would fly in and Macron would be a part of the swearing-in. Like the French did in Tchad not long ago. Therefore, the morals of Paris isn’t to be trusted. Neither does I trust the morals of Washington D.C. as well. Not that I favour Moscow, because I don’t,… Imperialism is imperialism regardless of who does it. Peace.

Niger: Ministere des Affaires Etrangers eet de la Cooperation – Instuctions des autorites du Conseil National pour la Sauvegarde de la Partie (CNSP) sur les prises de position par certains Chefs de Missions (29.07.2023)

Opinion: President Traoré spoke truth to power

My generation asks the following questions: we don’t know how it is that Africa, in lands with so many resources and with such generous nature, where there is so much water, sun and of all the rest, today is the poorest continent. Africa is a starving continent and its heads of state roam the world begging. There are many unanswered questions. Today we have a chance to build a new relationship and I hope it will serve to give our people a better future. Today we face the most barbaric and brutal forms of neocolonialism and imperialism. We are still forced into slavery. Our predecessors taught us that a slave unable to rebel does not deserve pity. The problem is that we see African heads of state doing nothing to help the struggle of their own peoples, we see our leaders singing with imperialism, who, in fact, have become its ministers, they are treated as people who do not respect human rights. Talking about it here is both insufficient and shameful. We need African leaders who will stop behaving like dancing puppets whenever the imperialists take their tools. Our people said – Basta! Glory to our peoples! Benefits for our peoples! Victory to our peoples! Fatherland or death! Thank you, comrades” – President Ibrahim Traoré (28.07.2023).

Regardless of what you think of Captain Ibrahim Traoré who has been the interim president since 30th September 2022, which means he haven’t been in office for long. The President of Burkina Faso who is 35 years old and came from Forces Special (FS) which was a unit created by the ousted President Roch Marc Christian. He was the second army commander to do a coup d’etat, as the previous one was done in January of 2022.

We can now see that Captain Traoré has outlasted his predecessor, but not by much. He needs support and make alliances. We know he has done so with Mali and Guinea. Which are all junta governments and transitional ones at that. They are all working for similar causes and within their respective republics. Therefore, we know the Captain is wise to have allies close in the Sahel region.

Now we are hearing a tune of the forefathers. It is like the Captain has studied or tried to emulate Thomas Sankara. His a hero and everyone wants to resemble him. While doing so… you could also become a target of the same forces which betrayed Sankara too. That’s something that the Captain should think upon or even consider.

The message the truths of which he was speaking is amazing. It needs to be told, but not only be words, but end up in action. The Republic of Burkina Faso shouldn’t be used by an imperialist. No nation should suffer under that plight. The Burkinabe and anyone else deserves better. The message from the Captain is swell and should be amplified.

However, at the same token, he is a guest and a Head of State visiting Russia. The Russian Federation dreams of the glory days of the Soviets. The current Russian regime wants puppets and people who are feeding into their greatness. Therefore, the Captain shouldn’t change one imperialist over another. There is always a transaction and never a free lunch.

The captain should know this and he could easily be used by the Russians. As much as the Francophone Africa has been misused and extorted by the French. The French and others has to atone for their sins on the African continent.

Still with all that in mind. The systems are still alive and active. Things aren’t revolutionized or rectified. No, they are more of the same. Unless, the Captain have means or plans to achieve self-sustainability in his own Republic. That would be great and would be the best anyone can conquer. Instead of having to rely on others, but be able to take care of your own self. That’s the basics here and that should be the end-game.

Because, the imperialist will only find their way in and use tricks of the trade. They will offer something sweet, but they want a buck-load in returns. The imperialists aren’t there for charity, but for profit. They are there to earn currency and they don’t mind the costs put on others. As long as they get the ends. That’s what the Captain has to overcome now. Not just talk, but aim higher. Peace.

Niger: Parti Nigerien pour la Democratie et le Socialisme (PNDS-TARAYYA) – Communique du Conite Executif National du PNDS Tarayya (29.07.2023)

Niger: Ordonnace No 01 du 28 julliet 2023 portant suspension de la Constitution du 25 novembre 2010 et crennt le Conseil National pour la Sauvegarde de la Patrie (CNSP) – (28.07.2023)

Niger: Tournons La Page (TLP) – De la Remise en Cause des Institutions de la Republique (28.07.2023)

Burkina Faso: Forces Armees E.M.G.A. – Communique de Presse (27.07.2023)

Niger: Ministere de la Defense National – Forces Armees Nigeriennes Etat-Major des Armees – Communique de l’Etat-Major des Armees (27.07.2023)

Niger: Yesterday’s coup d’etat results in the formation of the CNSP…

Today, July 26, 2023, our defense and security forces, united within the National Council for the Safeguarding of the Homeland (CNSP), have decided to put an end to the regime that you know. This follows the declaration given the security situation, poor economic and social governance. We reaffirm our commitment to respecting all the commitments made by Niger” (Joliba TV NEWS/FM, 27.07.2023).

Last night in Niamy the army announced the formation of Conseil National de la Sauvegarde de la Patrie (CNSP) who will lead the transition and be the de-facto government of the Republic of Niger. This comes after Mohamed Bazoum was put under house arrest in the Palace in morning yesterday by his own Presidential Guards.

So, today it’s confirmed that the President is toppled and the civilian government is overthrown in a successful coup d’etat. There was uncertainty last night as there was mediation efforts by previous Presidents and such, but to no avail.

The one that has rose through the ranks and is expected to be the Head of State is General. Salifou Mody, who has visited both Mali and Burkina Faso, which lead him to be sacked as the Chief of Staff earlier in the year.

There was reports that General Tchiany initiated the coup d’etat and did the arrest of the President. He himself haven’t been picked as the successor and was initially doing the coup, as a last resort because the President planned to fire him after being the Commander of the Presidential Guards for 12 years. I don’t know if this is true, but the President had earlier in the year also fired Gen. Mody. So it could be true.

If this is the case. Then it’s the fragile mix of military influence and internal bickering that lead to this. It was only in February 2021 that Bazoum was elected to the Presidency and his term in office was cut short after he took over President Mahamadou Issoufou who had been the President for two terms. Therefore, everything was ready for him, but certainly he lost is quickly.

Yesterday is yet another nation gripped by the army and army commanders taking power. In West Africa of late it has become the norm. Not elected civilian leaders, but army commanders who topple the regime and becomes “transitional governments”. A new breed of military governments or junta’s which are not honouring the will of the people. They are keeping power by the guns.

Gen. Mody is a four star general and was the Chief of Staff of FAN from 2020 to 2023. That’s why he knows the army well and could takeover easily from Gen. Tchiany. A man who was disgruntled and found the right moment to strike.

Now the CNSP will start the same process, which we have seen in Bamako (Mali), Ouagadougou (Burkina Faso) and Conakry (Guinea). All of these has recently used coup d’etat’s and overthrown certain governments. Therefore, yesterday isn’t anything new, but it shakes Niamy and Niger.

Niger is now changed and gets a similar government to others in West Africa. Where army commanders get a say and decree’s the future. The Republic of Niger was able to have one peaceful transition from Issoufou to Bazoum, but there it stopped. The army intervened and they are no in-charge. The CNSP has to now react and take over. They have to fill the void and reassure the general public. Peace.

Niger: Union des Scolaires Nigeriens (UNS) – Communique de Presse (26.07.2023)