World

Niamey [Niger], August 4: Niger's President Mohamed Bazoum said he had been held hostage, calling on the US and the entire international community to take action to restore constitutional order in the West African country.
"I wrote this article while I was a hostage," President Bazoum began the article published in The Washington Post on August 3, amid the military junta in Niger 's new moves that raise concerns about regional security. region after last week's coup.
"This coup, launched by a faction in the military against my government on July 26, has no justification whatsoever. If successful, it will lead to dire consequences. for our country, for the region and for the whole world," Bazoum wrote.
The elected leader, who has been detained by bodyguards in the presidential palace in the capital Niamey since July 26, said that thanks to the cooperation with "allies" of the US and Europe, the security and economic situation Socio-economic in Niger has improved over the years, and is better than in neighboring countries like Mali and Burkina Faso.
"Instead of addressing security concerns by strengthening their own capabilities, they use Russian criminal mercenaries like the Wagner group at the expense of their human rights and dignity." , wrote Mr. Bazoum. He warned that "the entire central Sahel region could be influenced by Russia through the Wagner group".
The Sahel, a stretch of land on the side of the Sahara Desert, has become one of the world's most volatile regions with the rise of jihadist groups linked to terrorism in recent years. Wagner, a private Russian military company, has been present here since at least 2018, according to The Washington Post . Moscow does not recognize Wagner legally, but in fact, the force has been fighting alongside Russian regular troops in Ukraine. Wagner's presence in the Sahel is said to play an important role for Russia in its struggle for influence with the West in the region.
Bazoum also warned that Boko Haram and other terrorist movements "will certainly take advantage of Niger's instability, use our country as a springboard to attack neighboring countries and undermine peace and safety. and freedom throughout the world".
"I call on the US government and the entire international community to help us restore constitutional order... The people of Niger will never forget your support at this crucial moment in the history of the country. us," wrote Mr. Bazoum.
On the same day this article was published, the military junta in Niamey announced it had withdrawn the validity of many security and defense agreements with France, according to Reuters. Paris currently maintains between 1,000 and 1,500 troops in Niger, helping the country fend off attacks by groups linked to al-Qaeda and the Islamic State (IS).
The military government of Niger on August 3 also announced the termination of the duties of the country's ambassador to four countries, including France, Nigeria, Togo and the United States.
In a move that has increased regional tensions, the Niger military junta has warned of an immediate response to any "aggression or attempt to provoke aggression" by West African countries, according to AFP. The declaration comes as there are only three days left for the coup leaders in Niger to implement the ultimatum issued by the National Economic Community of West Africa (ECOWAS).
ECOWAS has threatened the possibility of using force if the military junta in Niamey does not return power to President Bazoum this week, and military leaders of the bloc's member states have been meeting in Nigeria since Aug. to discuss the situation.
Source: ThanhNien Newspaper