Niger: repatriation of bodies and tribute to six humanitarians in Paris this Friday, August 14

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The remains of the six murdered Frenchmen will land this Friday August 14 at Orly airport in Paris. They will likely arrive before 4 p.m. local time (Paris), at which time a ceremony in tribute to the six humanitarians must take place. A ceremony to be held at the airport itself and chaired by French Prime Minister Jean Castex, in the presence of the families of the missing.

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From our special correspondent in Niamey ,   Sidy Yansané

The families took an active part in the modalities of this ceremony. On Tuesday, they were attending a meeting of the Foreign Ministry Crisis Staff. Originally, the repatriation of the bodies was to take place on Thursday, August 13, but relatives preferred to postpone until the next day, the time to organize themselves as best as possible for this moment which promises to be very painful.

During this meeting, the families also had their say on the various speeches for the ceremony, a representative of the State, a priori the Prime Minister, will speak. They insisted on the sober nature of the tribute and especially wished to recall that their relatives were not unconscious tourists, but people engaged in humanitarian aid in Niger, and whose actions have considerably contributed to improving, a little bit, the living conditions of the inhabitants of the region, hard hit by terrorism. After the ceremony, the six bodies are expected to leave for the Forensic Institute for a second autopsy.

For the moment, it is not known if a ceremony is also planned at the start in Niamey. In tribute to the six French humanitarian workers, but also in tribute to the two Nigerien guides who accompanied them, also killed by gunfire on Sunday, August 9.

I address my fraternal thoughts and support to the families of our compatriots.
This cowardly and abject attack mourns our country and all those who fight, everywhere, for the right to live with dignity.
They have my infinite respect. https://t.co/XMwxo8HLJo

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• Niger
• Terrorism
• Jean Castex