Military Coup in Niger

[Husky_Khan]

Whelp...



As long as there's an excuse for pursuing diplomacy, it can really help mitigate the whole potential of War thing. Not too helpful if either side closes off that avenue completely though.

 

[Husky_Khan]

Al Qaeda and other militant forces are still active in Niger. A recent attack reportedly resulted in the death of 17 Nigerian soldiers and the capture of a small arsenal of light weapons.



Meanwhile talks with ECOWAS and Niger continues, with an ECOWAS delegation reportedly finally getting the chance to meet with President Bazoum.



Since the coup, President Bazoum and his wife and one of their children have been held captive in the basement of the Presidential Palace, reportedly with no power and limited food, medical treatment and other basic luxuries though he was still allowed some communication with the outside world including visits by Doctors and the release of a column to the Washington Post criticizing the coup he is currently the guest of.

Niger president 'in good spirits' despite detention - BBC News

Mohamed Bazoum's doctor visits him in a basement prison amid fears for his health after military coup.

www.bbc.co.uk

In related news France and America are in disagreement over dealing with Niger, with America apparently more willing to engage in diplomacy with the Niger Coup Leaders then France is.

France, U.S. relations grow tense over Niger coup

French officials are frustrated that their American counterparts have been willing to engage with the junta that overthrew Niger’s president.

www.politico.com

 

[Husky_Khan]

Niger has given the French Ambassador 48 hours to leave the country, but France has refused, stating the "Putschists" have no authority to demand they leave.

France insists Niger military junta cannot expel its ambassador

The French government has vehemently rejected the demands of the leaders of the Nigerien coup, stating unequivocally that their "putschists have no

businessday.ng

There were erroneous reports that Niger also told the Ambassadors of the United States, Nigeria, Germany and other ECOWAS and European countries to leave, but that turned out to be not the case as of yet.

AFP says statement on German, US ambassadors being told to leave Niger is 'unauthentic'

AFP said on Friday it had deleted an earlier post that said Niger's military rulers had given the German ambassador 48 hours to leave, as the statements it was based on had been declared "unauthentic by authorities".

www.reuters.com

 

[Husky_Khan]

Apparently there was a massive ambush of Niger forces in the Sahel region of the country carried out by Islamic State aligned militants.

The death count rapidly rose, with over two hundred reportedly killed, sixteen vehicles destroyed, over twenty vehicles missing/captured along with large amounts of weapons and munitions and several dozen wounded with many still missing.

About 25-30 Islamist militants were reportedly killed.



Not many sources reporting on it though, at least in English language.

 

[Scooby Doo]

Wait why are Islamists attacking Niger???

Aren't they like focused on killing Heretics and Blasphemous peeps? Niger seems kinda outside their usual mo unless I'm missing something

 

[Husky_Khan]

Wait why are Islamists attacking Niger???

Aren't they like focused on killing Heretics and Blasphemous peeps? Niger seems kinda outside their usual mo unless I'm missing something

Just because the country is 99% Muslim doesn't make it an Islamic enough State for some folks.

These Islamists are aligned with the whole Islamic State of West Africa (ISWAP) organization for the most part. Active in Niger and Mali and Nigeria and a bunch of other countries in West Africa.

 

[Husky_Khan]

The United States looks likely to depart Niger in the near future. Apparently negotiations for ongoing basing rights has broken down. Niger states that America has a condescending attitude towards Niger and their alleged closer relationship to other West African countries that launched coups, as well as Russia and Iran. But more importantly, housing an American base without consulting the population properly would violate the democratic principles of Niger and that's simply unconscionable.

Niger's junta revokes military agreement with US

In a damning statement, a spokesperson decries Washington's "condescending attitude" towards Niger.

www.bbc.com

 

[The Whispering Monk]

The United States looks likely to depart Niger in the near future. Apparently negotiations for ongoing basing rights has broken down. Niger states that America has a condescending attitude towards Niger and their alleged closer relationship to other West African countries that launched coups, as well as Russia and Iran. But more importantly, housing an American base without consulting the population properly would violate the democratic principles of Niger and that's simply unconscionable.

Niger's junta revokes military agreement with US

In a damning statement, a spokesperson decries Washington's "condescending attitude" towards Niger.

www.bbc.com

Our State Department thinks they're better than every body else? NO!!! THAT'S IMPOSSIBLE!!!!!

 

[Husky_Khan]

Russian military advisors and trainers have touched down in Niger, presumably a more official presence then that of the African Corps, the new name for the rebranded Wagner PMC's who are already operating in Niger in some numbers.

Russian air defense system and trainers touch down in Niger - The Sudan Times

This development comes after Niger's military government, in January, opted to enhance security cooperation with Russia

thesudantimes.com

They also brought air defense systems to Niger. I'm assuming the air defense systems being imported are of little use against the Islamists and Tuaregs running riot across the northern half of the country.