Niger: CFDP, a new unit to watch over the country’s strategic interest facilities
On May 9, 2024, the Command of Protection and Development Forces (CFDP) was officially established and presented to the press this Tuesday, June 4, by the Ministry of National Defense.
This new unit is tasked with securing strategic sites and infrastructure, essential corridors, and socio-economic development projects.
The mission of the CFDP includes preventing acts of sabotage, terrorist attacks, and other security threats targeting strategic sites.
These sites include areas of exploration and exploitation of natural resources such as gold, oil, uranium, and other valuable resources.
Special attention will be given to securing the WAPCO, CNPC-NP, and SORAZ pipelines.
Additionally, the CFDP will be responsible for safeguarding critical corridors that facilitate the movement of people, access to international markets for goods, and smooth import flows.
Lastly, this unit will protect activities related to socio-economic development projects.
In terms of development, the CFDP will participate in programs for land development, irrigation, and the exploitation of agro-sylvo-pastoral areas.
It will also engage in environmental protection and reforestation initiatives. Furthermore, industrial development projects, such as the manufacturing of ammunition and automobile parts, are planned.
With the establishment of the CFDP, the state aims to take all necessary measures to ensure its integrity in a situation described as “neither war nor peace,” addressing internal terrorist threats as well as potential external enemies of Niger.
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Fayçal BADIE
