SOLIDARITY WITH NIGER

IPA STATEMENT ON THE SITUATION IN NIGER

The International Peoples’ Assembly (IPA) manifests its solidarity with the people of Niger in their struggle to defend their national sovereignty and to resist military intervention by ECOWAS, NATO, France, and the United States of America.

Two days ago, the ultimatum ECOWAS leaders gave to launch a war against Niger expired. In the absence of an official declaration renouncing this option, the people of Niger are compelled to defend themselves against this imperialist offensive.

The proud people of Niger gathered in the thousands at the Seyni Kountché stadium in Niamey to say no to this aggression and to defend with their bodies the sovereignty and dignity of their country. The governments of Mali and Burkina Faso, and Guinea have said no to this colonial operation orchestrated by NATO, with the collusion of ECOWAS leaders as its instruments. We join them and the people’s movements in West Africa in asserting that military intervention would only foster chaos and violence in the region.

Niger and various countries in Africa have been contending for years with the effects of the 2011 NATO-led intervention in Libya which created regional instability and the spread of terrorist organizations throughout West Africa. Military interventions organized with the alleged goal of guaranteeing peace and democracy have only resulted in protracted military conflict and significant loss of life.

The overthrow of President Mohamed Bazoum in Niger follows the popularly supported ousters of the governments of Guinea, Mali, and Burkina Faso. In all cases, the people have manifested their outrage against conditions that are the direct result of the continued stranglehold of French neocolonialism and the military presence of France in the region.

ECOWAS was intended to strengthen regional economic, social, and cultural integration within the framework of a larger Pan-Africanism. In the last few years, West Africa’s leaders have betrayed their people and abandoned this historic cause. The use of organizations like ECOWAS and NATO to defend the interests of imperialist powers and support governments, which are widely rejected by the people, goes against all principles of democracy, peace, and prosperity. The level of political mobilization against neocolonial rule since the ECOWAS’ declaration of war against Niger must be understood accordingly.

The people of Niger have a right to pursue peace and economic development to satisfy their material and social needs. Sanctions and military intervention will only sabotage the chance of development and lead to the country’s further loss of human life.

As such, the International Peoples’ Assembly is united with the people of Niger in demanding:

1. The cessation of all attempts at military intervention by ECOWAS, NATO, or France.
2. An end to all sanctions targeting Niger.
3. The immediate removal of foreign military bases from Niger and other African countries.

We are all Nigeriens!

#FranceDégage

#NATODégage