Women Demonstrate in NIGER’S Niamey in Support of Military Council
(AWP) - Hundreds of women protested outside a French military base in the capital of Niger, Niamey, in support of the military council in the face of regional and international calls demanding the reinstatement of elected President Mohamed Bazoum, who was ousted a month ago.
The demonstrators carried banners denouncing the French stance and expressing support for the military council that removed Bazoum on July 26th. They are adamant that Bazoum should not return to power despite threats from countries in West Africa to take military action to reinstate him.
The women’s anger is clearly directed towards France and its President Emmanuel Macron, who announced on Tuesday his rejection of the military council’s decision to expel the French Ambassador in Niamey. Paris says the military council in Niger does not have the authority to issue such a decision.
One protester directed her speech towards Macron, asking him to "stop comparing himself to the military council" in Niger.
"Let President Macron know that Niger does not belong to France but to Niger itself. Therefore, he must stop comparing himself to the leaders of the military council [in Niger], as if he is like a father to us. Niger belongs to Niger and to Africa and it relies on its army to defend it," she said.
Another protester called for the departure of the French forces stationed at the base, comprising 1500 members, whom she described as “pretending to defend Niger.”
"We are here to deliver a message to the French military base to leave Niger. We do not want them to pretend to defend our country because we know very well that they are only here to plunder our resources."
"We have had enough. The Niger army is strong enough to protect our country and our people. These people support it and it has our full confidence."
Algeria is leading efforts to avoid military intervention in Niger. Yesterday, its Foreign Minister, Ahmed Attaf, announced in a press conference an initiative to solve the Niger crisis through arrangements over a period of six months, under the supervision of a consensual civil authority leading to the restoration of constitutional order in the country. It also renewed its demand for the release of President Bazoum and for him to be able to carry out his duties.
Attaf added that the initiative presented by Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebboune comes "within the framework of a vision that achieves everyone's consensus around a peaceful option," adding that it "will provide sufficient guarantees for a political solution acceptable by all sides in the crisis."