Niger military has taken over the country by placing President Mohamed Bazoum under arrest. Niger is Fourth Country in Sahel to Experience Anti-Western Coup (Prashad) and was one of the last african client states to colonial france. To put a economic face to this relationship, Niger has 69 gold mines and has no gold reserves in stockpile while france has no gold mines but holds the 4 th largest gold reserves in stockpile in the world.
Excellent left politics primer on West Africa with Danny Haiphong below
What do you fear most?”
"I fear that love is not enough "
I have promised myself not to feed the trolls, I will try.
First, to clear the stage of false debates, I will not defend French polies in Africa. France has never clearly examined them and drawn consequences.
Macron, and for once I make a compliment when speaking about him, has said that colonization has been a crime against humanity and he was right, but it is not enough.
I sum up, colonization, a series of crimes, even if some good has been done. And after that, la France-Afrique, as we say, meaning the unlimited exploitation of the ex-colonies by French business with the support of the French army and the complicity of the local so-called elites.
Second, I don’t rejoice of the ejection of France from Africa.
I don’t like when a relatively government is overthrown by a putsch.
Because, Russia and China who replace it are not better but worst. Russia, using group Wagner has multiplied the fake news, accusing the French of imaginary atrocities. one of his major arguments is that he will support any power, even the worst bloody dictature, when France is reluctant and gives lessons. You will easily find references.
Because the only long-term beneficiaries are the Islamists. Russian action contributes to destabilize the region and only the Islamists have the means to profit of that.
Third, the enemies of my enemies are not always my friends. USA was taught that when he supported the Taliban against the Russian power.
To clear the stage a second time, I know that USA has committed war crimes, one against Iraqi among them, that US secret services are acting undercover acting as evilly as they can. I know that others western countries act in the same way to defend their interests.
But even if they fail, democracies have ideals. Russia and China are dictatorships, their governments are limitless and have no checks. To promote their interests economical and ideological, they will commit genocides. In fact, China is committing one right now against the Uighurs.
Before choosing Russia and China as allies, I would think twice.
There is a fear Russia will act like a colonial master in Africa.
These fears are held by - that’s right, the former colonial masters who stripped the locals of their natural wealth and were responsible for millions of deaths.
Maybe reparations would go a long way to reconciling with African nations.
What do you fear most?”
"I fear that love is not enough "
The history of african plunder is there if you really care to research. Your dismissal of this injustice with token breadcrumbs shows how out of touch you are with the grievance of indigenous populations.
What do you fear most?”
"I fear that love is not enough "
[quote=“loveisnotenough, post:5, topic:10386, full:true”]
Write4u - you got a lot to learn
Why do you think I am a member of CFI (Center For Inquiry)
The history of african plunder is there if you really care to research. Your dismissal of this injustice with token breadcrumbs shows how out of touch you are with the grievance of indigenous populations.
Yes, I learned about driver ants a long time ago. Watch out when these critters go on the warpath. Talking about plunder!
History is filled with plunder, since the first hominids discovered that sometimes it is easier to rob somebody than to work for your keep.
The US is required under law to cut foreign and military assistance to the Nigerien government if a formal coup designation is made. On Friday, Blinken announced the US had paused certain assistance.
[quote=“loveisnotenough, post:15, topic:10386”]
There will be bombs if they turnaway from USA . Is that what you mean??
No, that is not what I mean, it is you who sees that as an option.
The question is why do you see that as an option for the US.
What would be gained or foster US security needs?
Remember that the US sent representatives to try and find solutions to the problem.
Nuland also described the mutinous officers as unreceptive to US pressure to return the country to civilian rule. “They were quite firm about how they want to proceed, and it is not in support of the constitution of Niger,” Nuland told reporters.
She spoke after a two-hour meeting in Niger’s capital, Niamey, with some leaders of the military takeover in Niger, a vital counterterrorism partner of the United States. Nuland said that in speaking to junta leaders, she made “absolutely clear the kinds of support that we will legally have to cut off if democracy is not restored.” She said she also stressed US concern for the welfare of President Mohamed Bazoum, who she said was being detained with his wife and son.
Do you support the military junta who planned and executed the coup? If so, why?
What coup in Ukraine are you talking about? We just showed you that Zelenskyy was democratically elected with a large majority, showing his popularity.
Being elected by the people is not a coup. Taking a duly elected government by force is a coup.
