Niger’s new military rulers on Wednesday accused France, the country’s traditional ally, of having “unilaterally freed captured terrorists,” a term used for jihadists, and of breaching a ban on the country’s air space.

They claimed that France released a number of jihadists, who then gathered to plan an attack on “military positions in the tri-border area,” a hotspot region where the frontiers of Niger, Burkina Faso and Mali converge.

“Events of an extreme gravity are unfolding in Niger as a result of the behaviour of the French forces and their accomplices,” according to the statement issued by the new regime, called the National Council for the Safeguard of the Homeland (CNSP).

The statement reported that a unit of the armed forces had come under attack on Wednesday, although it did not directly link this with France’s alleged release of the jihadists.

A position held by the National Guard in a locality called Bourkou Bourkou, 30 kilometres (18 miles) from a gold mine at Samira in western Niger, came under attack at 6:30 am (0530 GMT), it said.

“At present, the toll is not yet known.”

The statement called on the security forces to “raise their alert level across the country” and on the public “to remain mobilised and vigilant.”

The regime also accused France of having allowed a “military plane” to take off Wednesday from neighbouring Chad, which then crossed into Niger, defying a ban imposed on Sunday.

The aircraft “deliberately cut off all contact with air traffic control on entering our air space,” from 6:39-11:15 am (0539-1015 GMT), it said in a statement read on national TV.

France has around 1,500 troops in Niger, supporting the country in its fight against jihadists who swept in from Mali in 2015.

But relations broke down after French ally President Mohamed Bazoum was toppled by members of his guard on July 26.

The regime’s accusations come on the eve of a summit by the West African regional bloc ECOWAS on how to tackle the Niger crisis.

ECOWAS — the Economic Community of West African States — had given the coup leaders until Sunday to reinstate Bazoum or face the risk of military intervention.

AFP

nairalandankrah:
source https://www.barrons.com/news/niger-s-military-rulers-accuse-france-of-freeing-terrorists-87663c28

raskymonojendor:

An accusation that France has denied. Niger republic can beg Wagner military contractors (WMC) to help them recapture the terrorists. However, right under the nose of WMC, terrorists and jihadists have taken over half of Mali

epondudu:
It's been a while since we hear of this terrorist attack in northern Nigeria, the French also have some captured Boko-haram terrorists if they are released it will affect not only Mali and Niger but all West African states, especially Nigeria may God help us.

Procashtips:


You captured terrorists but kept them.

Why keep terrorists?

Because you plan to use them for your own gain

Afterall you trained and equipped them in the first place.

Only fools don't know that most of the insecurities in Africa is made possible by former colonizers.

allthingsgood:
Event hough I don't support the coupists, I detest France occupation of Africa. Tinubu shouldn't miss this opportunity to kick them off.

EcoNews:
It is not Tinubu's problem if you know what Russia is facing in Ukraine, what USA faced in Afghanistan you won't dare venture into war

Nahunger:
Can you imagine, lol they never meant well for African