(7 Nov 2021) Niger's president Mohamed Bazoum visited a volatile border region on Saturday, the scene of an attack earlier in the week where suspected Islamic extremists ambushed a self-defense brigade and killed 69 people.
"I come personally to share with you your mourning, to support you in your misfortune, to support you in your suffering," Bazoum told residents of Banibangou near the border with Mali, some 155 miles (250 kilometers) north of the capital Niamey.
The town's mayor was among those killed in Tuesday's attack.
Bazoum said that insecurity had increased and compared it to "a disease of endemic type."
But he sought to reassure residents that it wouldn't last, promising the government was working to end it.
Local self-defense groups have been helping Niger's military to fight extremists who have stepped up attacks on civilians this year.
The attacks have been blamed on militants linked to the Islamic State group.
The mounting violence poses a strong threat to Bazoum, who was sworn into office in April only days after security forces thwarted an attempted military coup at the presidential palace.
Find out more about AP Archive: http://www.aparchive.com/HowWeWork
Twitter: https://twitter.com/AP_Archive
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/APArchives
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/APNews/
You can license this story through AP Archive: http://www.aparchive.com/metadata/youtube/507fcd84743547589c3e20b7ef393cfc
0 Comments