Demonstrators occupy French military base in Niamey
By Daily Tab24. Updated: Sep 17, 2023.
Thousands of people have stormed Niamey, waving flags and singing songs against the French troops stationed in the capital. They simply want all the foreign troops in their country to leave; saying they are fed up with occupation of their land. The new military government enjoys massive support of the people.
Nigerien citizens have taken a different approach two weeks after the Niger’s junta demanded the withdrawal of European troops from the Sahel-region of Africa. A bloodless coup deposed Basoum, a French-friendly government of Niger on July 26, marking yet a trend of coups sweeping across the region since 2020. Basoum has since been detained, and likely to be prosecuted for corruption and embezzlement of Niger’s finances.
Demonstrators that occupied French military base in Niamey demand that French soldiers should leave their country for good. The new military government issued the order two weeks ago, but French President Macron refused, insisting that the military government is illegitimate and will only leave the country at the order of Basoum.
France appears to be fermenting trouble in the Sahel-country of Africa. Trouble is brewing because of the new military government’s resolve to cut ties with external forces in control of its previous government. France is at the verge of losing its right to export of uranium and end to illegal exploitation of Niger’s natural resources. All ties with the French, both military and economic ties were cut, while the country blames France for the dearth of infrastructure in the country.
France – the former colonial master of the Sahel-country has been at crossed roads with the Junta since the coup. The new military government of Niger has faced a staunch opposition from France and European Union. U.S. took a significant side with France, boldly and defiantly calling the new military government “illegitimate”.
French political interest in the Sahel-country came under massive threat following the coup. Since the independence of the Sahel-country of Africa, French has had a say in the country, dictating to the successive governments of the uranium-rich country. Being the former colonial master of the country, French tends to continue their colonial rule through neo-colonialism.
France blatantly opposed the new military government, a standoff that has led to controversial expulsion of its ambassador and significant call for the withdrawal of its troops from the country. France has about 1,500 personnel in the country, with its military base in Niamey, the capital of the country.
“We don’t want them in our country, what is the problem with France, they are no longer welcomed and why are they making this look like we have done what nobody has done before? I understand we are a poor African country, we are not in Europe and we are not Russia, they cannot respect our right or respect our sovereignty because we are their dump site. We will occupy here until they leave our country for good” a Demonstrator said.
The demonstrators are determined to rid their country of foreign troops who occupied the country in the guise of helping them fight terrorism. The conveners of the protests are determined to continue the protest until the purpose of the protest is achieved.
“Our leaders have said we will continue this protest until they leave our country, we are not going to shoot or fight them, we are civilians and our military will not confront them because they want to disorganize our country. We are making use of our heads, civil act will frustrate them out of our land” a protestor said when asked what they would do if the French soldiers refuse to leave.
