Niger Republic rebel leader threatens new attacks

Niger Republic rebel leader threatens new attacks

Moussa Kounaï, head of the Patriotic Movement for Freedom and Justice (MPLJ) in Niger Republic, has issued a fresh warning of renewed hostilities against the government led by General Abdourahamane Tiani, threatening imminent strikes on the nation’s oil sector.

In a statement delivered from a remote desert location in northern Niger on Saturday, April 26, Kounaï accused the “Tiani cartel” of betraying the nation and pledged to prioritize attacks on critical oil facilities in what he described as a new phase of the rebellion.

“Our fight is for freedom and justice,” Kounaï said. “The exploitation of Niger’s resources by an illegitimate regime must be stopped.”

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Although Kounaï did not detail specific targets or a timeline for the operations, he made it clear that oil fields and pipelines would be treated as “legitimate targets” in the campaign against what he termed “the usurpers in Niamey.”

Security experts have cautioned that a resurgence in rebel activity could deliver a significant blow to Niger’s already fragile economy, which is heavily dependent on oil revenues.

As of now, the Tiani administration has not officially responded to Kounaï’s threats.

Meanwhile, military patrols have reportedly been strengthened around key oil installations in the Agadem region, amid rising concerns about potential acts of sabotage.

Niger Republic rebel leader threatens new attacks

(Zagozola Makama)