Mohamed Bazoum, President of Niger: “It is not for France to wage war in the Sahel”

Published on : 07/10/2021 – 12:54

The President of Niger welcomes the change in the French military apparatus in the Sahel, affirming that it will be more adapted to the threat and more cooperative with the countries of the region. He confirms that the unified command of the new device will be based in Niamey. He affirms that the Islamic State organization is in retreat in his country, whether in the region of Lake Chad or in the area known as the three borders. He calls for a return of the Malian army to the northern areas where jihadist groups are rampant. He disagrees with the criticisms of the French president on the too timid reaction of the ECOWAS to the double coup d’etat in Mali. He supports the decision of the African Union not to have sanctioned the transition in Chad, stressing that the priority should be stability despite the risks of undermining democracy. Finally, he denies having attempted mediation between the Chadian soldiers and the FACT rebels.