Niger's Military Leader Accuses France, Benin, and Ivory Coast of Supporting Airport Attackers
In a shocking turn of events, Niger's military leader has accused the presidents of France, Benin, and Ivory Coast of supporting armed groups that attacked an Air Force base in the capital. The attack left four soldiers wounded and damaged an aircraft, sparking widespread outrage and condemnation.Niger's Military Leader Makes Accusations
General Abdourahamane Tchiani, Niger's military leader, made the accusations in a televised address late Thursday. He specifically named Emmanuel Macron (president of France), Patrice Talon (president of Benin), and Alassane Ouattara (president of Ivory Coast) as the sponsors of the mercenaries who carried out the attack. Tchiani warned that Niger would no longer tolerate such interference in its internal affairs, saying 'we have sufficiently heard them bark, and they should now in turn be prepared to hear us roar.'
Background on Niger's Military Rulers
Since seizing power, Niger's military rulers, along with those in neighboring Mali and Burkina Faso, have cut ties with France and other Western powers. They have instead turned to Russia for military support to fight insurgencies. This move has led to a surge in attacks and increased vulnerability to armed groups in the region.
Expert Analysis on the Attack
Ulf Laessing, head of the Sahel program at Germany's Konrad Adenauer Foundation, said that the sophistication and boldness of the airport attack suggest that the assailants may have had inside help. He noted that earlier successful attacks elsewhere in the region have increased the groups' confidence, leading them to target more sensitive and strategically important sites.
Islamic State Claims Responsibility
The Islamic State group has claimed responsibility for the attack on the air force base in Niger. In a statement on Amaq News Agency, the group's propaganda wing, it described the attack as 'a surprise and coordinated assault' that inflicted heavy losses.
The accusations made by Niger's military leader have sparked widespread outrage and condemnation. The incident highlights the complex web of alliances and rivalries in the region, with multiple countries and groups vying for influence and control. As tensions continue to rise, one thing is clear: the situation in Niger and the Sahel region remains volatile and unpredictable.
