Niger’s M62 movement rallied behind the country’s defence and security forces after a failed coup attempt, vowing to continue what it described as a ‘never-ending struggle’ for national sovereignty, as it said during a press conference.
Footage shows M62 members singing before the press conference in Niamey, where Minister for Trade and official Abdoulaye Seydou called on supporters to draw lessons from the attempted putsch and remain committed to defending the country.
“We must be able to turn into action the call of our confederal anthem, to always remain soldiers and to draw the positive lessons from what happened the day before yesterday,” Seydou said.
He said the movement’s struggle was far from over, warning that Niger could face further attacks.
“There was a first attack at the air base. There was a second one, and there will be a third. We will not be surprised if there is a fourth, a fifth, a sixth and an umpteenth,” he said.
“Because we know that the path we have embarked upon, the struggle we are engaged in, is a never-ending struggle. It is a struggle for dignity. It is a struggle for the sovereignty of our country,” he added.
Civil society activist Abdourahamane Oumarou praised the security forces for their response, calling for those behind the alleged coup attempt to face the full force of the law.
“The hand of the law must neither tremble nor delay. Justice in the Republic must be relentless. No weakness, no compassion, no clemency towards those who have chosen to betray the homeland, threaten the state and jeopardise the future of the Nigerien people,” he said.
The attempted coup began in the early hours of Saturday, August 29, when mutinous soldiers attacked key sites in Niamey, including Air Base 101 at Diori Hamani International Airport and the area around the presidential palace, while gunfire was also reported near other sensitive installations. Niger’s government said forces had regained control.
Source: Viory
