Niger : Authorities announce discovery of French « Arms Cache » in Niamey
After the denunciation of military agreements between Niger and France by the CNSP (National Council for the Safeguard of the Nation), the population witnessed with relief the departure of French troops from Nigerien soil.
However, nobody could imagine the destabilization strategy of Niger put in place by France, despite the absence of any of its nationals in the country.
Indeed, Nigerien authorities announced the discovery of an « arms cache » attributed to France, following a search conducted by Nigerien gendarmerie and police in two houses previously occupied by French soldiers.
« Searches conducted on February 19 and 20, 2024, by a mixed team of gendarmerie, forensic police, and judicial police led to a discovery that sends shivers down the spine », reported the Nigerien public television on Thursday evening, specifying that the searches took place in the premises of the former European civilian-military operation « Eucap Sahel » and a house occupied by French instructors before their departure from Niger.
« It is a real military operation center, as well as an arms and ammunition cache », insisted the same source, explaining that anti-tank rocket launchers, assault rifles, drones, grenades, and vehicles were discovered during the searches.
According to Nigerien authorities, geographical maps of ECOWAS countries were also found, including one of the city of Niamey on which all strategic locations of the capital were identified and marked.
In the same location, a board with a message written in red conveying a mysterious ideology was found : « Peace, we can avoid it ».
For Nigerien authorities, at the current stage of relations with France, these are carefully planned actions to sow chaos in Niamey.
This intention was publicly expressed by a French intelligence expert on the LCI channel : « Since our ambassador and our contingent are no longer hostages in Niger, we may have more latitude to carry out destabilization operations, this time more clandestine ». It is in this same logic that the former French ambassador to Niger, Sylvain Ittié, spoke during his hearing at the National Assembly, stating that France still has contacts in Niger with whom they continue to work. « Thanks to our contacts on the ground, we follow Niger’s domestic policy and continue to provide our political authorities with information about the situation. In other words, even without being in Niamey, we actively carry out our activities and mission ».
It seems clear that we are dealing with a real strategy that does not hide its objective. This discovery constitutes additional evidence of the implementation of a plan to destabilize Niger.
It is up to the people to strengthen their ties with the CNSP and to remain focused on the common goal : the total sovereignty of Niger.
