AFP Former rebel leader Rhissa Ag Boula opposes the coup in Niger, image from 2011
NOS Nieuws•vandaag, 18:13
Almost two weeks after the coup in Niger, an influential politician has launched a resistance movement in the West African country. Former Tuareg rebel leader and former minister Rhissa Ag Boula has proclaimed the Council of Resistance for the Republic (CRR), an anti-coup movement that wants democratically elected President Bazoum to return as the country’s leader.
“Niger is the victim of a tragedy orchestrated by people charged with protecting the country,” Ag Boula said in a statement circulating online today. Bazoum was deposed on July 26 by the chief of his presidential guard, who has the support of the military.
According to Ag Boula, the CRR will use “all necessary means to end this false practice of questioning the decisions of the people by corrupt and irresponsible military personnel”.
Until now, images of exuberant supporters of the junta dominated the picture. Last Sunday, on the eve of the expiry of the Ecowas ultimatum, the military gathered nearly 30,000 people in the largest stadium in the country. A delegation from the junta entered the stadium to loud applause and cheers. General Toumba gave a speech and denounced anyone “lurking in the shadows” and “plotting against Niger’s advance”.
Instability
With the new movement of Ag Boula, which several politicians are said to have joined, the threat of internal conflict in Niger is growing. Ag Boula is known to have a lot of influence among the Tuareg, who dominate business and political life in the north of the country. Without their support, the junta will be able to control difficult territory outside the capital Niamey.
As a rebel leader around the turn of the century, Ag Boula played an important role in the revolts of the nomadic population group against the Nigerien government. At the time, the Tuaregs demanded more money for social and economic development in Northern Niger.
EPA Nearly 30,000 Nigeriens gathered last Sunday in the country’s largest stadium
Since the July 26 coup, international pressure has been exerted on Niger’s military leadership to return deposed President Bazoum to his post. The West African alliance Ecowas had threatened military action if the coup was not reversed by Tuesday.
The junta did not respond and closed the airspace over Niger. Tomorrow, the West African countries will discuss the situation in neighboring Nigeria again. Algeria has previously spoken out strongly against any form of military intervention.
The junta in Niger refuses to talk to mediators from the United Nations, the African Union and ECOWAS. In a letter, the military administration rejected a visit for “security reasons in this threatening atmosphere”.
The diplomats had wanted to visit Niger yesterday, following the example of the US Deputy Secretary of State who visited Niamey on Monday.
Visit from Mali and Burkina Faso
Meanwhile, the junta continues to appoint new ministers. Earlier this week, economist Lamine Zein was presented as the new prime minister. New ministers have now also been put forward. In addition, members of the Mali and Burkino Faso juntas visited Niger this week to express their support for the coup plotters.
The appointment of the new prime minister of Niger was announced on Monday at the national broadcaster
There is also a lot at stake in Niger for the West. For a long time, the West African country was regarded as relatively democratic and was therefore considered a reliable ally in the fight against Islamic insurgents in the Sahel region. Thousands of American and Western European military personnel were active in Niger until the coup. What their future in the country looks like is uncertain.
Rice and canned food
US Secretary of State Blinken spoke by telephone with deposed President Bazoum yesterday, his department announced today.
Blinken stressed that the US is committed “to the restoration of democratic and constitutional order” in Niger. Bazoum is being held in the presidential palace with his family. Deputy Minister Nuland was not allowed to see him on Monday when asked. Sources close to Bazoum reported that the family is without electricity and running water and only has rice and canned food.
2023-08-09 16:13:48
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