Niger’s Prime Minister has called on insurgent groups to lay down their arms and build “our country” together, while praising the patriotic impulse of Nigeriens who have joined the defence and security forces.
General Abdourahamane Tiani, President of the National Council for the Defense of the Homeland, had on Thursday, August 15, 2024, met with Nigeriens, who joined the Defence and Security Forces (FDS) to free the hostages of the Boni jihadist attack that occurred on May 20, 2024, near the border between Niger and Burkina Faso.
On this occasion, the Nigerien Head of State, surrounded by members
of the CNSP and the Prime Minister, Ali Mahaman Lamine. welcomed the “support” of “totally disinterested patriots” for the patriotic impetus and direction our country is taking to restore lasting peace.”
The Prime Minister of Niger took advantage of the event to call on “all those who spontaneously take the initiative to unite for the common good of Nigeriens.”
He did not exclude “those who have taken up arms,” inviting them to lay down their weapons and “return quickly to their homes so that we can build our country together”.
“We have no other country and the actions taken today showed that this is the direction in which we must all focus our efforts,” he stressed, praising the efforts of the “FDS, which has put together its small team and worked with sincere, committed and selfless compatriots.”
On May 20, the Support Group for Islam and Muslims attacked a Niger army camp in Boni, in the western region of Tillabéri. A few days later, this jihadist alliance, linked to al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb, released a video showing six Nigerien soldiers taken hostage and military equipment captured during the attack.
Niger, like Mali and Burkina Faso, has been facing a jihadist insurgency for several years.
AC/sf/lb/GIK/APA