Connect with us

News

Niger/France Saga: Your Response is Not Good Enough – LND Tells FG

Published

on

FB IMG 1735311200860
Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...

Niger/France Saga : Your Response is not Good Enough–LND tells FG

From Umar Dankano, Yola.

A Northern pro-democracy Organization, League of Northern Democracy, (LND) has berated the reaction of the Federal government of Nigeria over allegations of France complicity in funding Boko Haram insurgency raised by the Niger’s Military leader.

Spokesman of the league, Dr. Ladan Salihu disclosed the position of the group through a press statement issued Friday protesting that, the response is not enough as it only raises more questions than answers especially in the context of France’s well-documented history of destabilizing regions to secure access to natural resources.

The Organization, League Of Northern Democrats (LND) opined that a critical analysis of the government’s denial and its supporting arguments reveals significant gaps in logic and veracity.

It stated in the statement that, the government categorically denies colluding with France to destabilize Niger. However, France’s track record in Africa – supporting insurgencies and covert operations to secure resources – casts doubt on this outright dismissal.

It observed that, If Nigeria is fully committed to combating terrorism, as claimed, the government must explain how insurgent groups like Boko Haram and ISWAP continue to acquire sophisticated weapons, including drones, which are typically accessible only through state-sponsored channels or illicit global arms networks.

“Who are the actors facilitating these supplies, and why has the government failed to curtail these supply lines for nearly two decades?

“The assertion that President Tinubu has demonstrated exemplary leadership as ECOWAS Chairman is contradicted by the deepening tensions among ECOWAS member states; where five states have severed ties with France leading to three states leaving the regional body.

“Nigeria’s support for ECOWAS sanctions and even military invasion against Niger following the military coup undermines this claim of fostering peace. These sanctions have exacerbated the hardship or suffering of ordinary Nigeriens and strained bilateral relations, indicating a misalignment between rhetoric and actions. In fact, but for the refusal of the EU and the international community, President Tinubu had openly called for military invasion of Niger, fully backed by France.

“While the government emphasizes its refusal to host foreign military bases, this point does not address the central issue: the presence of highly sophisticated weaponry in the hands of insurgents! The claim that Nigeria safeguards its sovereignty does not explain how international arms and funding networks continue to fuel terrorism within its borders”.It queried.

The league of Northern Democrats contemplated that, If Nigeria is indeed independent in its security operations, why has it been unable to intercept these networks or identify their sources?

“The government highlights joint projects like the Trans-Saharan Gas Pipeline and Kano-Maradi Railway as evidence of its commitment to Niger’s development. However, these projects have faced delays and controversies, often attributed to instability in the region.

“If Nigeria truly prioritizes these initiatives, its inability to address the root causes of regional insecurity – such as arms proliferation and terrorist funding – calls into question its sincerity.

“The government’s denial of the existence of a “Lakurawa terrorist headquarters” in Sokoto State is undermined by the documented presence of insurgent strongholds within Nigeria’s borders. While Operation Forest Sanity III is cited as a countermeasure, such initiatives have yet to produce lasting results.

“The persistence of terrorism suggests either a lack of capacity or complicity, and dismissing these allegations without transparency only fuels skepticism.

“On the whole, it is the considered view of the League of Northern Democrats that, the Federal Government’s response, while rhetorically strong, lacks concrete evidence and fails to address the core issues raised by Niger’s leader.

“The notorious reputation of France’s clandestine military incursions in destabilizing regions for its selfish interests, the long ongoing insurgency in Northern Nigeria, the sophisticated weaponry used by the insurgents and the region’s historical context of foreign interference all require a more robust and transparent approach.

“Instead of outright dismissals, the government must provide credible answers to fundamental questions: Why is France accused to be behind all the insurgencies in the Sahel? Who supplies weapons and funds to the insurgents? How are these networks being dismantled? What measures are in place to prevent external exploitation? Without addressing these issues comprehensively, the government’s denial risks being seen as deflection rather than a genuine commitment to resolving the crises”. The league rhetorically asked.

We are Daily Hint Monthly news magazine published in Abuja, with the aim of reporting relevant key issues about the nation, and Daily Hint has a team of seasoned media professionals with vast experience generated from years of ethical Journalistic practice and public relations service in both public and private media outlets. Our soul aim is to contribute on promoting government policies, programmes and projects , in addition to making efforts to properly articulate issues of public interest. We're situated at zone 5, Michael okpara way, opposite ibro hotel, shippers' plaza. Email: harunayusuf750@gmail.com Tel: 08067044121, 09037937822. Message: 09047623181

Continue Reading
Click to comment

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Copyright © 2024, Daily Hint News, All Right Reserved