Turmoil in Niger

[sdv]

Complicated ... in some African countries, elections are the means to elect government at all levels (no matter how flawed the electoral system may be). So, in places like Mozambique and Nigeria, armed groups make no sense and they do seem to be shunning the electoral system and using violence. But, Niger does not have a functioning electoral system at present. Maybe the new Sahel group will lead the country in that direction, but Niger may end up like Mozambique and Nigeria anyway. Western interference does not solve the problem, despite Trump's grandiose claims. Nor does demonization of the country and employing sanctions, bombing it, or arming whatever group Westerners think will be in their interest to have in the presidency.

terrorism: the unlawful use of violence and intimidation, especially against civilians, in the pursuit of political aims

So, Bill is 100% correct in using that term, but most governments, and especially the West, use the term to exclude groups. If a group is shut out of government and the political system, or using violence as a defence against government violence, perhaps the use of violence is resistance rather than terrorism?

I do think Americans especially should think deeply about this term because the Trump administration is using it to demonize and shut down legitimate protest against government actions. Tucker Carlson has made a video in full support of this agenda, and it is spine chilling ... straight out of the Israeli playbook. ICE agents are being threatened and their lives are in danger! People must comply and not resist!

[shaberon]

Something bad happened, although to qualify as terrorism, it would have to have a name and message attached to it.

Right now, I would call this organized first degree mass murder, using the legal precedent here, which means if you knew anything about it, you share the same guilt of anyone who pulled a trigger.

Fortunately, they got mass arrests.

It's not impressive to throw this many people into a violent action that accomplished absolutely nothing.

Foreign sponsors behind Niger airport attack – Sahel alliance

The recent assault was aimed at weakening the country’s armed forces and reversing the defeat of militants, the group’s leadership has said

The Alliance of Sahel States (AES) has condemned a terrorist attack targeting Diori Hamani International Airport in Niger’s capital, describing it as a “cowardly and perfidious aggression” supported by “foreign state sponsors” against the region.

The assault on Thursday left 13 people dead, including 11 security personnel and two civilians. Four others were injured, while 22 assailants were neutralized and about 20 suspects arrested, according to Niger’s Defense Ministry. Al-Qaeda affiliate Jama’at Nusrat al-Islam wal-Muslimin (JNIM) reportedly claimed responsibility for the attack.

In a statement published on Saturday, AES President Captain Ibrahim Traore said the “attempted takeover” of Niamey Airport was aimed at weakening Nigerien armed forces and reversing what he described as the defeat of militants in the Sahel.

He said the AES “strongly condemns this new manifestation of terrorist violence supported by foreign state sponsors,” without naming any countries.

“These recurring and remotely directed attacks only strengthen the sacred union of … the AES around the vision of their heads of state in their struggle to preserve the territorial integrity of member states, protect populations, and guarantee lasting peace in the Sahel space,” Traore stated.

Niger and its neighbors, Mali and Burkina Faso, formed the AES in 2023 to collectively address the jihadist insurgency that has gripped the region for more than a decade, driven by armed groups linked to al-Qaeda and Islamic State.


The three West African states have expelled French troops previously deployed on counterterrorism missions, accusing France of failing to contain the insurgency, and have since forged new defense partnerships, including with Russia.

On Saturday, Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova expressed Moscow’s solidarity with Niamey, denouncing the June 18 assault as an attempt to “undermine the stability of the Alliance of Sahel States.”


Diori Hamani International Airport, which also hosts a military base, was previously attacked by Islamic State fighters in January, during which 20 militants were killed in an exchange of fire and 11 others were arrested. Russian forces deployed to assist the country in combating the insurgency helped foil the attack, according to officials.

At the time, Niger’s transitional leader, General Abdourahamane Tchiani, accused France and neighboring Benin and Ivory Coast of sponsoring the violence.


Benin has repeatedly denied serving as a logistical hub for French-backed operatives. Relations between Benin and Niger deteriorated following the coup in Niamey in 2023. However, on Sunday, the authorities of both countries agreed during talks in Cotonou on steps toward economic and legal normalization and addressing shared security priorities.

[Bruce G Charlton]

Off topic...

The title of this thread always reminds me of the infamous and hilarious gaffe by the much-loved BBC radio announcer Jack de Manio, in 1956 - from Wikipedia:

De Manio's career nearly crashed in 1956 when he was duty announcer for the BBC's Home Service. A major radio feature, The Land of the Niger, was broadcast worldwide to mark a Royal visit to Nigeria. Carelessly, he back-announced it as 'The Land of the N*gg**'. There was outrage; he was immediately suspended and then returned to the General Overseas Service.

Back to topic...