Tagged:

Former Niger Rebel Leader Launches Group to Oppose Junta

A former rebel leader and politician in Niger has launched a movement opposing the military junta that seized power two weeks ago - the first sign of organised resistance to army rule in the West African country, Voice of America reports.

In a statement released on Wednesday August 9, 2023, Rhissa Ag Boula said his group, the Council of the Resistance for the Republic (CRR), will aim to reinstate ousted President Mohamed Bazoum, who has been in detention at his residence since members of the presidential guard took power on July 26.

Boula is a former minister of tourism and a leader in two Tuareg ethnic insurgencies in Niger, one in the 1990s, the other from 2007 to 2009.

Meanwhile, Bazoum's party said on Wednesday that the president and his family are running out of food and have been living without electricity and running water for a week. An adviser told the Associated Press that the family has only rice and canned goods left to eat.

InFocus

InFocus

VOA

The Nigerian army is expected to lead any possible Ecowas military action against Niger's junta.

Follow AllAfrica

AllAfrica publishes around 400 reports a day from more than 100 news organizations and over 500 other institutions and individuals, representing a diversity of positions on every topic. We publish news and views ranging from vigorous opponents of governments to government publications and spokespersons. Publishers named above each report are responsible for their own content, which AllAfrica does not have the legal right to edit or correct.

Articles and commentaries that identify allAfrica.com as the publisher are produced or commissioned by AllAfrica. To address comments or complaints, please Contact us.