Niamey Governor Denounces “False Friends” Amid Weapon Seizures

Niamey – General Abdou Assoumane Harouna, the Governor of the Niamey region, has strongly condemned what he describes as “false friends of Niger” following the discovery of a large cache of weapons, ammunition, and war materials in the capital city. The governor’s remarks come after a significant seizure of war materials on February 19 and 20 at the Eucap Sahel Project headquarters and in a villa in the Tchangarey district, previously used by French forces.

According to Burkina Information Agency, these findings unequivocally demonstrate ongoing plots to destabilize Niger by external actors disguised as allies. General Harouna highlighted the persistent threat posed by these entities, emphasizing the Nigerien people’s commitment to defending their sovereignty and independence. He recalled the July 26, 2023, request for the departure of French troops from Niger, which was met with threats of destabilization from foreign intelligence.

The governor criticized the actions of a world power, presumably France, for its attempts to undermine Niger’s sovereignty through various means, including economic and financial pressure, and refusal to accept the termination of colonial-era agreements. Despite these challenges, General Harouna affirmed Niger’s determination to maintain its independence, sovereignty, and control over its resources and strategic decisions. He concluded by reaffirming the nation’s resilience against any form of destabilization, expressing gratitude to the defense and security forces, and urging the population to remain vigilant and supportive of their efforts.