2024-08-03 17:29:00
France, the scourge of Niger? General Abdulhamane Tini, the leader of Niger’s military junta, launched a new diatribe against France on Saturday, accusing it of wanting to ” Destabilization » His country, seven months after expelling French soldiers who participated in the fight against jihadism. Since the coup on July 26, 2023 that overthrew elected President Mohamed Bazoum and took power, General Tiyani has denounced the military agreement with France, which led to the departure of soldiers, and has increased his invective against Paris.
“This unhealthy desire to destabilize Niger has spread through the repositioning of all the agents of the French DGSE (intelligence service) that we drove from our territory”He said this in a two-hour interview with Nigerien Public Television on Saturday, on the 64th anniversary of Niger’s independence. “They were resettled in Nigeria and Benin”he assured, referring to ‘Destabilizing actions’ By carrying out “Subversive groups operating in plain clothes” wait “The Benin armed forces themselves were in civilian clothes”.
Tensions between Benin and Niger
Niger often accuses Cotonou of asylum “French Base”The allegations are the source of months of diplomatic wrangling with neighboring Benin, which has taken a hard line against tough sanctions imposed by the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) after the coup. Despite sanctions being lifted in February, Niamey has refused to reopen its borders and cut the valves on an oil pipeline that was meant to export crude through Benin ports. Benin and France have consistently denied the allegations.
General Tiani assured on Saturday that “the day we know that Benin no longer poses a threat, we will take appropriate measures” to reopen the border.
If Niger is at odds with Benin, it is closer to its neighbors Burkina Faso and Mali, also ruled by military regimes that came to power through coups. The three countries, united in the Alliance for the Sahel (AES) alliance, will soon benefit from Niger oil, General Tiani said on Saturday. On-site processing of crude oil will allow “suit one’s needs” Country and “By extension of the people of the Federation”He stressed, referring to the construction of an oil refinery and petrochemical complex in Dosso, about a hundred kilometers from Niamey.
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