Burkina Faso and Mali Reaffirm their Support for Niger: Joint Delegation’s Visit to Niamey

A little less than two weeks after the advent of the National Council for the Safeguarding of the Fatherland (CNSP), friendly countries of Niger and their respective peoples continue to show their support for Niger in its new quest for freedom and empowerment. hand of his destiny. Yesterday morning, Burkina Faso and Mali dispatched a joint high-level mission to Niamey to support the CNSP in its efforts to restore dignity and the people of Niger in their new struggle against colonial and neo-colonial influences.

The mixed delegation, welcomed on the tarmac of the international airport of Niamey by General of the Army Corps Salifou Modi, came in two military transport planes in the colors of the armed forces of Burkina Faso and Mali. It is led by the Malian Minister of State for Territorial Administration and Government Spokesman, Colonel Abdoulaye Maïga and includes the Burkinabè Minister for Territorial Administration and Decentralization, Mr. Emile Zerbo, as well as the Heads of the Armies and several members of the governments of Mali and Burkina Faso.

The delegation was received at the Palace of the Presidency by the President of the National Council for the Safeguarding of the Fatherland, Head of State, Brigadier General Abdourahamane Tiani, before participating in a meeting with members of the CNSP. The head of the joint delegation, Colonel Abdoulaye Maïga, explained that the meeting with the Head of State of Niger focused on the repressive decisions accompanied by an ultimatum against Niger that the Heads of State and Government of the ECOWAS adopted during their last meeting in Abuja, Nigeria. He deemed these sanctions “illegal and inhuman” which aim to starve the people of Niger.

Colonel Abdoulaye Maïga particularly insisted on the decision jointly taken by the Presidents of the transition of Mali and Burkina to stand alongside Niger and its people, in addition to rejecting the sanctions desired by ECOWAS. Mali and Burkina Faso, he said, on the decision of their respective presidents, will consider any aggression against Niger as a declaration of war against them and will pool their forces to thwart any destabilization of Niger sponsored by external forces. “The very survival of our countries is at stake”, he declared, while insisting on the role of destabilization of Libya played ten years ago by NATO and which transformed the Sahel as fertile ground for armed terrorist groups.

The ultimatum issued against Niger by ECOWAS, quipped the high-ranking Malian, was long awaited by the populations living within the community, not against a sovereign country, but against non-state armed groups. Hence the refusal displayed by these neighbors of Niger to apply the decisions of ECOWAS against the country, but also to take up arms in the event of military aggression against the sovereign people of Niger. The composition of the delegation, which includes the best military strategists from Mali and Burkina, speaks volumes about their determination to accompany Niger on the road to its total liberation from all external domination.

Souleymane Yahaya (ONEP)