Judul : Terrorism - Niger's Junta Leader Tours Nation to Ease Tensions
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Terrorism - Niger's Junta Leader Tours Nation to Ease Tensions
Niger's leading General Abdourahamane Tiani has been traveling across the nation's frequently underdeveloped roads in recent weeks, exploring areas significantly affected by the rising jihadist threat, aiming to calm anxious residents.
After deposing the democratically chosen president Mohamed Bazoum in a coup during July 2023, Tiani has had to deal with assaults by Islamist fighters across various areas.
Although Boko Haram has established a stronghold in the southwest, close to the jihadist center of Lake Chad, militants associated with Al-Qaeda or the Islamic State have created a domain in the western Tillaberi region.
It is in these lawless border regions between Mali and Burkina Faso that Tiani began a large journey by car at the start of October, with the goal of "assessing the condition of the roads and speaking with the locals."
Some analysts believe the round trip helps to ease worries among Nigerien citizens and the global community regarding the junta, which has had difficulty managing the country's multiple security issues since coming into power.
This hands-on method differs from the approaches of his junta-led neighbors — particularly Malian coup leader Assimi Goita, who avoids road journeys on the rare occasions he leaves the capital Bamako due to concerns about jihadists.
"He was described as timid, unable to leave his palace, and he meets the challenge with an extraordinary tour," a resident from the southwest Dosso area said to state television during Tiani's visit.
'Niger-first policy'
The tour also accompanied the junta leader along the more than 600 kilometers (370 miles) of deteriorated desert road heading north to the mining town of Arlit, located in an area where different armed groups cross the loosely defined Saharan borders with Libya and Algeria.
For Seidik Abba, the head of the International Centre for Studies and Reflections on the Sahel, the visit seeks "to demonstrate that the power of the Nigerien state is present throughout the whole country" and to ensure that the junta "has a certain degree of public backing."
State television has increased its coverage of the general attending events, touring military bases, and interacting with crowds, as the junta leader appears fearless in engaging with the public.
Assessing the general's widespread support is challenging, considering the increasing crackdown on those who criticize the junta.
On social media and in the media of Niger, numerous people have noted that Tiani's tour resembles a campaign trail despite his administration having no intention to conduct any elections.
Every stop gave Tiani the opportunity to emphasize his Niger-focused policy – particularly regarding uranium.
The military government claims that Niger should gain more advantages from being the world's seventh-largest producer of the radioactive metal, causing conflicts with France, which has historically depended on uranium mined from its former colony for its nuclear power stations.
"Observe the condition Arlit is in after 55 years of uranium extraction. Even electricity is scarce... From now on, our uranium is ours," he stated in Agadez.
'Niger will remain standing'
In a speech addressed to the military, Tiani emphasized that "Niger will stay firm, prepared to give the greatest sacrifice to protect itself."
However, starting from March, the Islamic State's branch in the Sahel has carried out at least 127 executions in five attacks throughout the Tillaberi area, as reported by Human Rights Watch.
In October, an American national was taken in the center of the capital city Niamey, while two women, one Swiss and one Austrian, were seized in the northern region since the start of the year.
The military regime has also fallen behind in compensating government employees, with Tiani stating that Niger's economy continues to suffer from regional sanctions imposed following the coup, even though these restrictions were lifted almost two years ago.
"The nation is facing a challenging security and economic climate. This tour helps Tiani gain public support for his sovereignty policy," said a Nigerien analyst to AFP, speaking on condition of anonymity.
Hans-Jakob Schindler, head of the Counter-Extremism Project think tank, highlighted the shortcomings of neighboring Burkina Faso and Mali in their "neglect" of distant northern areas.
"Ensure the civilian population feels reassured, perceiving you as a friend rather than a danger," stated Schindler.
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Tagged: Nigeria, International Terrorism, West Africa, Conflict, Peace and Security
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