Earth Science News
AFRICA NEWS
Niger leader says France wants to 'destabilise' country
Niger leader says France wants to 'destabilise' country
by AFP Staff Writers
Niamey, Niger (AFP) Aug 3, 2024

The head of Niger's military-run government on Saturday accused France of wanting to "destabilise" the country -- seven months after driving out French soldiers engaged in the fight against jihadism.

Since seizing power on July 26 last year, the new government led by General Abdourahamane Tiani, former head of the presidential guard, has reset its international partnerships.

It asked former colonial power France late last year to withdraw its troops stationed in the Sahel nation to fight jihadist groups.

"This sick desire to destabilise Niger has spread through the repositioning of all the agents of the French DGSE (intelligence services) that we chased out of our territory," he said Saturday in a two-hour interview on Niger public television to mark the 64th anniversary of the country's independence.

"They have been repositioned in Nigeria and Benin," he said, referring to a "destabilising action" carried out by "groups of subversive agents dressed in civilian clothes" and "with elements of the Beninese armed forces themselves dressed in civilian clothes".

Niger regularly accuses neighbouring Benin of harbouring "French bases", which Beninese authorities and France have always denied.

These accusations have been at the root of diplomatic disputes for months with Benin, which took a hard line in the heavy sanctions imposed by the Economic Community of West African States after the coup.

Despite the lifting of sanctions in February, Niamey has refused to reopen its border and has cut off a pipeline that was to export crude oil via a Beninese port.

"The day we know that there is no threat from Benin, we will take the appropriate measures" to reopen the border, Tiani said.

While Niger is at odds with Benin, it has forged closer ties with neighbouring Burkina Faso and Mali, two countries also governed by military regimes that came to power in coups.

Gathered within the confederation of the Alliance of Sahel States, the three countries could soon benefit from Niger's oil, Tiani said.

Related Links
Africa News - Resources, Health, Food

Subscribe Free To Our Daily Newsletters
Tweet

RELATED CONTENT
The following news reports may link to other Space Media Network websites.
AFRICA NEWS
HRW calls for probe into 'gruesome' Burkina mutilation
Abidjan (AFP) July 27, 2024
Human Rights Watch called Friday for an "impartial investigation" into the mutilation of a corpse allegedly by soldiers from the Burkinabe military, which has condemned the violence. "Burkinabe authorities should immediately open a transparent and impartial investigation of this brutal incident and appropriately punish all those responsible," an HRW statement said. The rights group said an 81-second video, widely circulated on social media, shows at least 18 men wearing identifiable army uniform ... read more

AFRICA NEWS
SatVu and OPO team up to advance urban greening solutions

Tourism, heat cut Japan rice inventory to 21st century low

Drought in Sicily threatens grain fields, animal herds

No paving stone unturned in Dutch garden greening contest

AFRICA NEWS
Zambia to import electricity as drought slashes hydropower

Sicilians protest against water shortages; As beachgoers struck by lightning

Oxygen-depleted 'dead zone' in Gulf of Mexico larger than expected this year

How the rising earth in Antarctica will impact future sea level rise

AFRICA NEWS
Uncertainty Hinders Prediction of Climate Tipping Points

Worst yet to come in once-in-a-century southern Africa drought, UN says

UK climate activists guilty of throwing soup over Van Gogh's 'Sunflowers'

UK climate strategy under scrutiny at landmark court case

AFRICA NEWS
Scientists Urge Policy Changes to Enhance Biodiversity on UK Solar Farms

Hong Kong Researchers Enhance Solar Cell Efficiency and Durability

Innovative Coating Boosts Efficiency and Lowers Costs of Solar Cells

Solar Cell Efficiency Enhanced with Innovative Perovskite Technology

AFRICA NEWS
A recipe for zero-emissions fuel: Soda cans, seawater, and caffeine

Activists take aim at bank financing Serbia biomass projects

Chemists Develop Efficient Method to Convert CO2 into Sustainable Fuel

Chemists design novel method for generating sustainable fuel

AFRICA NEWS
Gaza burns cases surge as medical supplies dwindle

Hopes fade for more survivors in Indian landslide rescue

At least five missing after bridge collapse in southwest China

Slow down to save the planet, says Japan's rock star philosopher Saito

AFRICA NEWS
Chevron to move HQ from California to oil-loving Texas

BP to develop new oil and gas fields in Iraq

Oil giant Shell says net profit dips in first half

Researchers Develop Efficient Method for Green Hydrogen Production

AFRICA NEWS
HSBC records $21.6 billion pre-tax profit in first half 2024

Tokyo plunges as equity markets track Wall St on recession fears

Equities mixed after Fed rate cut hope, strong yen hits Tokyo

Asian investors trade cautiously ahead of central bank decisions

Subscribe Free To Our Daily Newsletters




The content herein, unless otherwise known to be public domain, are Copyright 1995-2024 - Space Media Network. All websites are published in Australia and are solely subject to Australian law and governed by Fair Use principals for news reporting and research purposes. AFP, UPI and IANS news wire stories are copyright Agence France-Presse, United Press International and Indo-Asia News Service. ESA news reports are copyright European Space Agency. All NASA sourced material is public domain. Additional copyrights may apply in whole or part to other bona fide parties. All articles labeled "by Staff Writers" include reports supplied to Space Media Network by industry news wires, PR agencies, corporate press officers and the like. Such articles are individually curated and edited by Space Media Network staff on the basis of the report's information value to our industry and professional readership. Advertising does not imply endorsement, agreement or approval of any opinions, statements or information provided by Space Media Network on any Web page published or hosted by Space Media Network. General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) Statement Our advertisers use various cookies and the like to deliver the best ad banner available at one time. All network advertising suppliers have GDPR policies (Legitimate Interest) that conform with EU regulations for data collection. By using our websites you consent to cookie based advertising. If you do not agree with this then you must stop using the websites from May 25, 2018. Privacy Statement. Additional information can be found here at About Us.