Niger: Lisez la lettre du Député a l’Assemble Nationale Omar Tchiana adressée au Président Emmanuel Macron – “Presence des forces Takuba et Barkhane au Niger” (05.03.2022)

Niger: Communique du Ministere de l’Interieur et de la Decentralisation (22.02.2022)

Niger: Union des Forces Populaires pour la Democratie et le Progres Comite Executif National (UDFP-Sawaba) – Communique suit au Projet de Redeploiment de Barkhane et Takuba au Niger (18.02.2022)

Opinion: Are we seeing Niger’s interest of taking over the French troops departing from Mali?

Our goal is for our border with Mali to be secure. We expect that after the departure of Barkhane and Takuba, this area will be even more infested and that the terrorist groups will strengthen. However, we know that they are destined to extend their influence. The new bases will therefore not be far from Ménaka and Gao. They will especially welcome Takuba, because it has great advantages for us. They are special forces with capabilities responding to the threat posed by terrorist organizations. Takuba is also a force integrated into the Malian army and soon into the Niger army. We will have an agreement with the European governments which could intervene. Barkhane’s concept is a bit different” (President Mohamed Bazoum, 18.02.2022).

It seems like the Republic of Niger wants to have a base and a new central role in Barkhane Operation of the French and European military in the Sahel region. That is the message is the of the Niger President Mohamed Bazoum today.

We know the authorities and Conseil National de Transition (CNT) have decided to end their military agreements and co-operation with the French and other foreign allies in Mali. That’s why Bazoum takes the opportunity to strengthen his defence and use the French with a possible bigger base in Niger. This is how it looks to me.

That the former French colonies are now trying to strategies to get benefits of it, as the French have not promised to cease their operations or efforts in the Sahel region. Which wouldn’t shock anyone, as the French want to defend their interests and calculated assets there. The French are not there out of charity, but because it’s big business for them.

Now Niger will be in the mercy of the French and their loyalty to Paris. Niamey will be the token soldier for the French and their needs. We know the French don’t want to have accountability or transparency oft their military efforts in the Western Africa and in Sahel Region. That’s the gist of it…

Niger is just taking over the spot of Mali and doing it willingly, as a way of boosting their own defences while throwing shade at Mali. Because, they are using the fragile borders as an excuse to have additional troops on its territory.

Bazoum is clearly an ally of the French and wants to be an elitist of Paris. He wants the goodwill and support from the French. That is clear here and Niamey is a place to look out for. As Bazoum is trying to strategise himself in close association of French interests in the Sahel region. Peace.

Niger: Communique du Ministere de la Defense Nationale (29.01.2022)

Niger: Communique du Cabinet du Depute-Maire, President du Conseil de Ville de Niamey (21.01.2022)

Niger: Confederation Nigerienne du Travail – Secretaire Generale de l’Union Nationale des Travaille du Mali (UNITM) – (17.01.2022)

Niger: Ministere de la Defense Nationale – Suvol du territoire du Niger vers le Mali (11.01.2022)

Niger: Communique du Minister de la Defense Nationale (05.12.2021)

Niger: Bazoum bowed his knees to the French…

Of all the countries which are committed to our side in the fight against terrorism, France is the country which makes the most sacrifices. 53 young French people died in Mali, I have heard people say that if the French are there and the problems are not resolved, it is they who are at the base. And if the French leave, you are sure that these armies, which have their duty today, will be able to face this situation. ? Non ! Me, I’m sure that the day the French pack their bags in Gao, it will be chaos ! Gao people know it anyway” – President Mohamed Bazoum (26.11.2021).

The French Military convoy that travelled across Western Africa recently have met a lot of local hostility. The French soldiers has answered with violence towards the citizens in Burkina Faso and in Niger. Where the French soldiers have hurt, injured and killed demonstrating civilians who blocked the convoy and their mission to go to Mali. That is very natural at this point of time, as the French has stationed missions and are following the operation of an extended Françafrique in the former colonies.

In the manner of which President Bazoum have answered the general public and begged the French forgiveness. It is like he has to be a loyal soldier for the Paris elite. The President who resides in Niamey should have first loyalty there and not hope for tickets to Paris Saint Germain (PSG). That’s how it seems here.

President Bazoum is now sounding like President Macky Sall. Who has also in the past praised the French and for everything they do. It is like these gentlemen thrives on the “white man’s burden” or the “saviour complex”. Since, the gentlemen should honour their citizens and the mandate as a President. Not let the French humble them and toy around with them.

The French are their for their interests. They only want pawns and family enterprises running the Republics. Therefore, the Niger President should be proud of his people and their resilience. Instead, he expect them to take the foreign soldiers and former colonizer with open arms. What sort of idea is that? How dumb is his population supposed to be?

Yes, the blockade and the stopping of convoy is hurting the pride of the French. However, they are not the owner of the territory and neither are they governing there. No, they are guests and there on the merits of the agreements between Niger and the French. The President should understand the sentiments, as the French are greedy and taking the valuable mineral resources for nothing. While they are continuing to live in poverty. The system created is to benefit Paris and not Niamey. That is very deliberate and time only shows that…

Bazoum bowed his knees for the French. It is a disgrace, but he wants to be a loyal subject to Paris. That is clear… and he wants all the favours he can get from there as well. This is why he is defending the French and not supporting the cause of his own citizens. That is really tragic here… and shows how the former colonizer still has conquered the elites mind. Peace.