Niger's Defense Minister to France: You will not be able to colonize Africa again

Written by: Ayman Ragab

General Salifou Mody, Niger's Minister of National Defense, confirmed that Security situationIn the country, it is “calm” and ”under control,” while acknowledging that Niger has been “at war” since regaining its security sovereignty.

This came during an interview with the official television channel RTN (Tele Sahel).

23,000 soldiers are deployed daily on the ground.

The Minister of Defense explained that “23,000 soldiers are deployed daily on the ground” in various national operations to secure the territory.

Decentralization and Empowerment Strategy

The minister explained the strategy implemented since Niger regained control over its “security sovereignty”: “When we took over the responsibility of defending our country, we had to make reforms and reorganize our systems. Because you know that the biggest mistake is to hand over your security to another party, especially another country.”.

He said: This strategy is based on three pillars: “We gave more autonomy” to the heads of tactical operations, “We also gave more responsibility to these different military leaders,” and ”We then made a thoughtful adjustment by working with some of our volunteer citizens, who are patriots.”.

He explained: “Decentralization of responsibilities and leadership has been implemented within these operational areas. At a higher level, centralized command has been implemented for all defense and security forces.”.

When asked about the almost daily attacks in some areas, the minister stressed the vastness of the country and logistical constraints, saying: “Our citizens must realize that the army, the gendarmerie, and even other defense and security forces cannot cover every village.”.

He noted that Niger comprises “approximately 32,000 administrative villages,” not counting camps and nomadic groups, and that “the total number of defense and security forces personnel did not exceed 20,000 before approximately decade“.

He added: “We often see two villages separated by 30 kilometers, but reaching them can take two or three hours,” explaining that the attackers “only need 15 to 20 minutes to carry out the attack.”.

Niamey airport attack was "premeditated"“

Referring to the attack on Niamey airport and Tahoua air base, the minister described the incident in the capital as a “premeditated attack,” stressing that “attacks happen all over the world, regardless of the security measures taken.”.

He asked: “How many motorcycles are there in the city of Niamey? How many people, how many individuals, are committed to the cause of these financiers?” hinting at the complicity of “internal enemies.”.

He added: “No one could travel such a long distance and reach Niamey without being detected.” “This means there are people who support this attack, indeed, who supported it,” he continued, adding that “the rapid response of our forces enabled us to neutralize the main perpetrators and arrest several of those who reported what happened and those who sent them.”.

“We are at war.”

The minister pointed out that “since we decided to ensure the defense of our country and its security ourselves, since the moment we decided that our sovereignty belongs to us, we became a target and entered a phase of war.”.

He explained, “War is a conflict of wills, between two or more wills,” condemning the use of “all means” against Niger: “interventions, blockades, media, international institutions, and NGOs.”.

In response to the French General Lecointre

Addressing French General Francois Lecointre, who raised the possibility of recolonizing the Sahel region, Mody stated: “This general could not stop the advance of armed men on motorcycles in Mali… and he will not come one day to tell us that they will return to colonize Africa.”.

He added, “I tell him he’s trying to come.” He continued, “I think what awaits them in the Sahel, compared to Dien Bien Phu in Vietnam, will be hell,” emphasizing, “If we are determined, every tree, every citizen, will be an obstacle for those who come after us.”.

Honoring the victims of the defense and security forces

The minister praised the victims of the defense and security forces, saying: “We have loyal men, men who are losing their lives right now, simply because their vehicle ran over an explosive device while driving.”.

He emphasized, saying: “Overnight, their families lose their sons, and the women become widows and the children orphans,” calling for “a day to be dedicated to these martyrs.”.

Modernization and defense industries

Modi announced that the Ministry of Defense would be open to civilian talent and that priority would be given to defense industries, saying: “It is not only about creating jobs, but it enables us, above all, to make the most of everything we have, and all the efforts of our young people, so that we can manufacture drones and armored vehicles.”.

Regarding equipment purchases, the minister revealed that Niger buys “from all willing countries,” explaining that “a European country and a country in the United States” refuse to deliver the equipment “even though we have paid for it.”.

He emphasized, "We will approach the countries that will sell us the equipment and deliver it to us. That is our guarantee.".