Niger’s military leader Abdourahamane Tiani, on Saturday, promised to strengthen the country’s military capabilities during a visit to the defense forces in Tillabery.
“Our determination knows no bounds,” the Nigerien head of state declared to officers, non-commissioned officers, gendarmes, and other security force personnel, adding that “the entire FDS has proven that they are the bulwark against which all waves of mercenary assaults and their sponsors have been crushed for almost ten years.”
General Tiani spoke at length about the history of Nigerien resistance to colonization, citing in particular the battles led in 1897 and 1899 by Mohamed Atikou of Sinder, Alpha Oumarou of Karma, and the Saraounia
Mangou against the Voulet-Chanoine column.
“Angkwari is not a tragedy. Angkwari is the very sign of the victory of a people standing firm,” he affirmed. The Nigerien leader accused an unnamed “sponsor” of orchestrating the systematic destabilisation of the country,
denouncing the inaction of foreign forces during deadly attacks. “More than 100 fighter jets and drones were positioned at Air Base 101 i Niamey. No intervention, not even an aerial reconnaissance mission to conduct counterattack operations, took place,” he declared, alluding to the previous French presence in Niger.
The head of state also warned of an “information war” being waged from France. He said recently, it was decided in France that an information strike force created within the Elysee Palace will have the specific mission of dealing with the countries of the Confederation, referring to the Confederation of Sahel States (AES), which include Niger, Mali, and Burkina Faso for two years.
“The State of Niger will implement all means at its disposal to ensure the security of the Nigerien people, to ensure our sovereignty, and quite simply to ensure our dignity,” General Tiani added, announcing a strengthening of the defense forces’ capabilities “in terms of personnel and equipment.”
The president paid tribute to the “martyrs, both civilian and military who fell in the fighting, calling for national unity. “For a united people, nothing is impossible,” he concluded.
AC/fss/as/APA