Sahel: Conférence régionale sur les changements climatiques, la paix et la sécurité en Afrique de l’Ouest et au Sahel (07.04.2022)

Niger: Communique de presse du Gouvernement (31.03.2022)

Niger: Communique de Presse de la Commission Nationale des Droits Humains sur l’Actualite Nationale (CNDH) – (25.03.2022)

Opinion: Does Bazoum want to end all relations with Mali?

I have just learned with dismay of the death of Soumeylou Boubeye Maiga, former Prime Minister of Mali. His death in prison recalls that of President Modibo Keita in 1977. I thought that such assassinations belonged to another era. My condolences to his family and friends” – President Mohamed Bazoum (21.03.2022).

It is just one of those days where the President of Niger, the Head of State in Niamey have decided to throw a curveball and speak his peace. There is always possibilities and unknowns in this world. As many things are not reported, investigated or even proven to be true. However, as a President and neighbour. You would say things with caution.

Nevertheless, the President of Niger prefers talking like his in a bar and not proving his allegations. Yes, we know that the former Malien Prime Minister was sick and ill. That has been reported since December 2021. We know that the family of the deceased wanted him to get treatment and be taken out of custody. Therefore, his health has been affected by the detention facilities, which where they kept him after arresting and charging him.

Just read this:

Mali’s former prime minister Soumeylou Boubeye Maiga, who was being held on suspicion of corruption, has died, his family said Monday” (…) “Maiga had been in custody since August 2021, initially in a central Bamako detention centre, before being transferred to the clinic where he died. A former foreign minister and head of the intelligence service, he was believed to be well connected in Mali’s security establishment and had been accused of financing pro-state militias. He was appointed Keita’s prime minister in 2017 but resigned in April 2019 over a massacre that left 160 people dead” (The Guardian Nigeria – ‘Detained Mali ex-PM dead at 67’, 21.03.2022).

I don’t President Bazoum would take it kindly, if any of the high ranking officials or the Interim President Colonel Assimi Goïta had stated similar fashion about someone in Niamey. It think Bazoum would have felt insulted and asked for proof.

Bazoum should come correct with this. As his predecessor Mahamadou Issoufou sent his condolences and regards to the government of Mali. Which is in total contrast to the current head of state. This sends a signal, but also shows how Bazoum disregard the current regime in Bamako.

We know Bazoum has friendly and cordial relations with Paris and that’s where they differ from Bamako at the moment. Niger prefers being the close ally and being under the plights of France. That’s their preference and is the reason for the contingent of French forces have been moved from Mali to Niger. Therefore, this might be a ploy to play in defence and show a token of support for their causes. In a way of criminalize and tarnish the current leadership of Mali. Which wouldn’t be shocking, but seems so.

I don’t know if Bazoum prefers to be close to Paris and far from Bamako. However, that is how things seems and he clearly plays to this assumption. Especially with how he acts and what he decides to do. Peace.

Conseil de l’Entente Secretariat Executif: Communique du Secretariat Executif du Conseil de l’Entente sur la situation securitaire au Niger (18.03.2022)

Niger: La CENOZO appelle la Justice a Relaxer le Journaliste Moussa Aksar (13.03.2022)

Conseil de l’Entente: Communique du Secretariat Executif du Conseil de l’Entente sur la situation securitaire au Niger et au Benin (10.03.2022)

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)