Posted on 08/03/2023 9:23:08 PM PDT by SeekAndFind
I write this as a hostage. Niger is under attack from a military junta that is trying to overthrow our democracy, and I am just one of hundreds of citizens who have been arbitrarily and illegally imprisoned. This coup, launched against my government by a faction in the military on July 26, has no justification whatsoever. If it succeeds, it will have devastating consequences for our country, our region and the entire world.
Our government came to power through a democratic election in 2021. Any attempt to overthrow a lawful government must be opposed, and we appreciate the strong and unequivocal condemnations of this cynical effort to undermine the remarkable progress Niger has made under democracy. The United States, the African and European Unions, and the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) have been loud and clear: This coup must end, and the junta must free everyone they have unlawfully arrested.
The coup plotters falsely claim that they acted to protect Niger’s security. They allege that our war against jihadist terrorists is failing and that my economic and social governance, including partnerships with the United States and Europe, has hurt our country.
In fact, Niger’s security situation has improved dramatically — facilitated by the very partnerships the junta opposes. Foreign aid makes up 40 percent of our national budget, but it will not be delivered if the coup succeeds.
To the south, where we face the terrorist group Boko Haram, there have been almost no attacks for two years, and refugees are returning to their villages. As a testament to this reality, our partners, including the U.S. Agency for International Development, are shifting their operations from humanitarian aid to development initiatives such as building sustainable energy, improving agricultural productivity
(Excerpt) Read more at washingtonpost.com ...
I wonder if we have any bioweapons labs in Niger.
I sympathize with the president of Niger. I really do. Unfortunately I also sympathize with Donald Trump and the former USA as we also were taken over by a government overthrow.
The similarities between Niger and the United States are very very close.
Well, this man seems rather articulate. No wonder State Department and CIA like him so much. He writes exactly like they sound.
LOL
Good map. Proof that only simple minds want to be completely isolationist.
Niger is mostly a French problem though, not a US problem, in my estimation.
The tell is how many times he says democracy, and mentions sustainable energy projects./
Hilarious!
Niger, please!
And let me guess, he wrote this on a roll of toilet paper (the only one in Africa) and a sympathetic jailer smuggled it out.
As jailhouse letters go, this one seems like it’s missing that “desperation” vibe. Wonder who actually wrote it?
The state dept.
Now pronounced nuh jheer.
I see what you did there. LOL
What’s going on in this country matters so much more.
If Trump were POTUS this problem in Niger wouldn’t be happening IMHO.
Except he is NOT the President of Zaire.
The days of neocolonialism by the west are over.
When he talks about “partnership with the U.S.” I think it must be a CIA-imposed “democracy.”
People from Nigeria are Nigerians.
People from Niger are nigerites?
Whatever the WP says then think the opposite.
Where does he want the money sent?
I was under the impression that Russia has a lot of influence over the Central African Republic which is not colored red on the map like other countries with ties to Russia.
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