Niger was one of the last democratic countries in the sub-Saharan region, where some 2,500 US and French military personnel train the Nigerien armed forces. France also carried out joint operations with its former colony, but since the coup Paris and Washington have suspended operations, giving the jihadists more room to manoeuvre.
A military detachment was attacked Tuesday afternoon between the villages of Boni and Torodi in the Tillaberi region, the Defense Ministry said on state television Tuesday. The wounded were transported to Niamey, the capital.
The attack is an ominous sign of a possible escalation, said Wassim Nasr, a journalist and researcher at the Soufan Center think tank.
“What we see today is the warring jihadist factions, the Islamic State group and (Al Qaeda affiliate Jama’at Nusrat al-Islam wal-Muslimin), marking their territory due to the security vacuum caused by the coup. This must certainly be viewed in the context of the ongoing war between the two groups,” Nasr said.
Threatening military action against the coup from neighboring countries, supporters said Wednesday they will register volunteers to fight and provide other aid so the junta has a list if it needs to summon people.
An organizer, Amsarou Bako, assured that the board is not involved in the search for volunteers to defend the coup, although it is aware of the initiative.
It is not clear to what extent a regional conflict is possible.
Many supporters of ousted President Mohammed Bazoum have gone underground, and police are quick to move in to crack down on any acts in support of them. Several ministers and politicians of the Bazoum regime are detained, and human rights groups have no access to them.
The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) says it has activated an “alert force” to impose order in Niger.
Bako told Tjhe Associated Press on Tuesday that a recruitment drive will start Saturday in Niamey and in cities where invading forces could enter. Nigeria and Benin have said they would participate in an intervention.
FOUNTAIN: Associated Press
