As a prelude to the vote in a few days in the National Assembly of the document of the military cooperation agreement between Niger and the Barkhane and European forces, the Nigerien President Mohamed Bazo…

Niger: Mohamed Bazoum defends the arrival of additional foreign soldiers

Nigerien President Mohamed Bazoum, February 17, 2022 in Brussels.

Text by: RFI Follow

3 mins

A first since coming to power.

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With our correspondent in Niamey,

Moussa Kaka

By communicating directly with Nigerien citizens, President Mohamed Bazoum highlighted the security challenges with the installation of Barkhane and European forces in the north of the Tillabéri region.

“

My soldiers are
12,000 to be in operations.
If nearby, I can place 600 to 700 Europeans who have helicopters and will work with them... That's the spirit of Takuba.

According to the president, this partnership would be advantageous for the security forces: “

We will benefit from their armament.
We will benefit from their abilities too because they are elite armies.

For President Bazoum, the first sovereignty is to ensure peace in the country: “

I made this commitment.
It is my constitutionally recognized prerogative

”.

In a few days, the military cooperation agreement between Niger and Barkhane will be submitted to the National Assembly.

“

And we are going to ask the National Assembly if they agree with the arrangement that we are going to make.
When partners will be available to help us in our war against terrorism.

The ruling party (PNDS) alone has 79 deputies out of a total of 166.

► To listen also: Guest Africa - H. Massoudou, head of diplomacy of Niger: "

The deputies will vote on the arrival of new foreign forces

Release of Boko Haram prisoners

In this same conference which brought together politicians, civil society actors and professionals, the president announced the release of Boko Haram jihadists to encourage peace in his country.

According to the supreme army chief, emissaries dispatched by Niamey to Sokoto and Birnin Kebbi in Nigeria were able to discuss with the jihadists of Boko Haram.

And the negotiations paid off: “

I spoke with some.
I have received others.
Nine terrorist leaders I've identified.
I attacked them.
And I was advised to release prisoners that I took

from Koutoukalé [prison]

whom I received directly at the palace of the presidency of the republic.
Because I seek peace.

Several personalities were moved when they heard the news.

“

It was very moving.
We had in front of us a determined president.
Determined to ensure that Niger can find the path to peace

,” notes Ousmane Sidia.

Civil society actor Ali Idrissa is convinced that a dialogue is being forged between Nigeriens.

“

For us, it is first and foremost a signal from the President of the Republic that he wants to initiate and engage in a dialogue with his people

,” he believes.

Republic emissaries are currently active in several parts of the country in an attempt to bring peace.

► To read also: In Niger, armed men kill nearly twenty people during the attack on a truck

Niger: Mohamed Bazoum defends the arrival of additional foreign soldiers

Niger: Mohamed Bazoum defends the arrival of additional foreign soldiers

Release of Boko Haram prisoners

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