Civil society in Niger mobilizes to demand freedom from overseas interference

NIAMEY, Niger (AP) — Niger’s ruling junta and civil society teams referred to as on the inhabitants to mobilize within the capital on Thursday to combat for the nation’s freedom and reject overseas interference.

“We’re speaking concerning the instant withdrawal of all overseas forces,” Mahaman Sanoussi, interim coordinator of the civil society group M62, which organized the protest, advised The Related Press. “(We’ll mobilize) in opposition to all types of threats to proceed the combat for the sovereignty of the folks. The dignity of the Nigerian folks will probably be revered by all with out exception.”

The march coincides with the West African nation’s independence day from its former colonial energy, France, and on the top of anti-French sentiment greater than every week after mutinous troopers toppled the democratically elected president. Protests had been anticipated within the capital, Niamey, in opposition to overseas interference.

The army coup has been strongly condemned by Western international locations, lots of which noticed Niger because the West’s solely dependable accomplice in combating jihadists linked to al Qaeda and the Islamic State group in Africa’s Sahel area. Russia and Western international locations have vied for affect within the combat in opposition to extremism.

France has 1,500 troopers in Niger conducting joint operations with its military, whereas the US and different European international locations have helped practice the nation’s troops.

In a message to the nation on Wednesday, the brand new army ruler, Common Abdourahmane Tchiani, lashed out at neighboring international locations and the worldwide group, calling on the inhabitants to face able to defend the nation.

Tchiani stated that troublesome instances would come for Niger and that the “hostile and radical” angle of those that opposed his rule didn’t add any worth. He referred to as the tough sanctions imposed final week by the Financial Group of West African States (ECOWAS) unlawful, unfair, inhumane and unprecedented.

ECOWAS has additionally threatened to make use of pressure if ousted President Mohamed Bazoum, who stays below home arrest, shouldn’t be launched and reinstated by 6 August.

In a closed-door assembly on Wednesday, dozens of representatives from civil society organizations, skilled teams and unions spoke with the coup leaders about their imaginative and prescient for the nation. M62’s Sanoussi was on the assembly and stated the junta had mentioned their priorities for the nation, similar to defending it from violence.

However one other member of civil society who attended and who didn’t wish to be recognized for safety causes advised the AP that he left the assembly frightened. He had gotten the impression that the French military was going to be pushed overseas quickly and that members of civil society would assist the junta to take action.

On the assembly, Tchiani spent numerous time speaking concerning the historical past of the overseas army presence within the area and France’s involvement, with out instantly mentioning it, and referred to as on these current to assist preserve the integrity of the nation. Tchiani additionally didn’t appear involved about an ECOWAS intervention or Bazoum’s resignation – one thing that has not occurred but – and stated the president was not in energy, the civil society member stated.

Nigerians are actually getting ready for what might occur. The sanctions introduced by ECOWAS included halting the switch of energy to Niger, which receives as much as 90% of its energy from neighboring Nigeria, in keeping with the Worldwide Renewable Vitality Company.

Energy transmission from Nigeria and Niger was reduce off this week, in keeping with an official from a serious Nigerian energy firm who spoke on situation of anonymity as a result of he was not approved to report on the matter. He didn’t say how a lot of Niger’s energy the reduce would imply, however any discount would have an effect on the inhabitants of an impoverished nation of greater than 25 million folks.

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Related Press author Zane Irwin in Dakar, Senegal contributed to this report.