Niger: Thousands Rally to Join Armed Forces Amidst ECOWAS Intervention Threat
Saturday, August 19, thousands of people queued up outside the main stadium in Niamey in response to a call for civilian auxiliaries to support the armed forces.
The event organizer stated that the junta was not involved in this endeavor, despite being aware of it.
Regional nations have threatened the junta of Niger with potential military intervention.
“I desire to become a soldier out of love for my nation. Additionally, Niger is our nation. I intend to dedicate myself to Niger. Salute to Niger! Mamadou cried out.
“I’ve heard that they require between 5,000 and 10,000 volunteer soldiers. This is why I’m here,” the footballer Abdoulaye said.
Some parents brought their children to sign up, while others reported waiting since 3 a.m. to respond to a call from multiple organizations.
Youths chanted in support of the junta and against ECOWAS and the former colonial power France.
The initiative, which is being led by a group of Niamey residents, seeks to register tens of thousands of volunteers from across the nation as Volunteers for the Defense of Niger.
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Amsarou Bako, one of the group’s founders, told The Associated Press on Tuesday (August 8) that, should the junta require assistance, the group would fight, assist with medical care, and provide technical and engineering logistics, among other things.
“I am a military mother, and we are awaiting youthful volunteers. This is what I had to say until tomorrow, in the name of God. An unidentified activist told cheering audiences, “We’re waiting for you, and I hope you’ll lead us out of all of these problems.”
Ecowas envoys arrived in Niger on Saturday (August 19) to continue dialogue with the junta.
The delegation includes former Nigerian military leader Abdulsalami Abubakar, according to the communication office of the governing CNSP.
Abubakar had previously visited Niamey on August 3 as a representative of ECOWAS, but he was unable to meet the nation’s new strongman Abdourahamadou Tchiani or the deposed president Mohamed Bazoum.
Friday, August 18th, the ECOWAS commissioner for political affairs and security insisted they were prepared to dispatch a contingency force should negotiations fail.
Niger: Thousands Rally to Join Armed Forces Amidst ECOWAS Intervention Threat
