Former Niger Presidency Minister Rhissa Ag Boula announced the creation of a Council of Resistance of the Republic (CRR) to restore constitutional order and the ousted President, Mohamed Bazoum, called for the arrest of the leader of the coup.
The CRR condemned the establishment of the military junta called the National Council for the Safeguarding of the Homeland (CNSP), criticized the junta’s “categorical refusal to establish constructive dialogue” and deplored the “notorious practice of manipulating the masses”. as well as “the use of civilians as militia and the temptation to resort to mercenaries, war criminals under the name of the Wagner Group”.
After criticizing the introduction of “military dictatorships in the region” – referring to Mali and Burkina Faso, which have expressed support for the coup leaders – the CRR is convinced of the “need to mobilize all sincere democrats to this nefarious project of establishing in Africa, and currently in Niger, a model of government far removed from all democracy and freedom”.
“On July 26, 2023, in the early hours of the day, our country, Niger, fell victim to a tragedy orchestrated by those responsible for its preservation. Guard, essentially responsible for the security of the president,” a statement read.
The statement highlights that the head of the presidential guard, Abdourahamane Tiani, now leader of the country after the coup, “managed to surround himself with a second circle of men in uniform with whom he attacked the Republic and its institutions.” justifying “their entry into the political scene with deceitful and grotesque pretexts relating to governance and security management”.
In this regard, he called on “the military who respect their oath and the people to put an end to the riot and proceed without delay with the arrest of General Tiani”, warning that the CRR would “use all means will use to confront any “practice of questioning the choices of the people by irresponsible military personnel”.
He also indicated that the Resistance Council “gives all its unwavering support” to the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and its international partners for “the planned intervention to ensure the return to constitutional order in Niger and continues to fully available”.
However, Rhissa Ag Boula, a former Tuareg rebel leader, stressed that “this regrettable episode” comes at a time when political and social stability has been brought to the country “thanks to the president’s sincere dialogue” “with all levels”. , at a time when “the prospects are favorable for the exploitation of the resources” and when the security situation has “improved” thanks to inclusiveness and openness towards the rebels.
“When all indicators turned green. Out of personal convenience and intoxicated by the power of his position as the president’s bodyguard, Tiani decided to betray his oath and the trust placed in him by attacking the country and its institutions,” the president lamented. former Minister of the Presidency.
ECOWAS had given the coup leader’s junta until Sunday to restore constitutional order, without ruling out the possibility of armed action to achieve that goal, a proposal that Mali and Burkina Faso, countries also controlled by of a military junta, to warn that they would consider this action a declaration of war and help Niger defend itself.
Guinea also warned of the harmful consequences of armed conflict and announced that it would not abide by sanctions.
Following the ultimatum, the regional body convened another extraordinary summit for Thursday in Abuja, Nigeria’s capital, at the same time imposing new sanctions against individuals and organizations linked to the junta’s coup.
The UN supports the work of this bloc, as do countries in the international community, such as the United States, which have established their own contacts, and France.
The junta showed no signs of reversing its measures and announced new political appointments.
Source: DN
