Three days after the decision of the Nigerien government to temporarily strip nine relatives of former President Mohamed Bazoum of their nationality in a coup on July 26, 2023, former Minister of State and presidential advisor Rhissa Ag Boula reacted this Sunday, October 13.
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Rhissa Ag Boula, the former minister of state and advisor to the presidency of Mohamed Bazoum overthrown by a military putsch on July 26, 2023, responded to the military in power in Niamey for almost 15 months via a three-minute message broadcast on social networks. Without mentioning him, the one who also remains the historical leader of the Tuareg rebellions of 1991 and 2007 addresses in particular Abdourahamane Tiani, the head of the junta, who signed the decree temporarily withdrawing his Nigerien citizenship. This decision is based, among other things, on a recently established file which lists people involved in acts of terrorism or attacks on the interests of the State.
Drawing on his past, Rhissa ag Boula first intends to remind General Tiani of his attachment to his country. “ Do not attack the foundations of your country. I took up arms in 1991 for six years to fight against the regime of the time, but I never asked to separate from the Niger. I am Nigerien and I will remain Nigerian, whatever the situation “, he declares.
“ We are Nigeriens and we will remain Nigeriens: no one can take that away from us »
Rhissa Ag Boula and the eight other personalities of the Mohamed Bazoum regime temporarily deprived of their nationality are considered by the gendarmerie to be “on the run”. Authorities say they are looking for them for their alleged involvement in a conspiracy. They are also accused of “intelligence with a foreign power” and “treason”.
In her appeal, Rhissa Ag Boula also indicates that she wants to fight for democracy in Niger. “ We are Nigeriens and we will remain Nigeriens: no one can take that away from us. We must fight for democracy in Niger, but never deny Nigerien nationality “,he says on this subject.
Two weeks after the putsch of July 26, 2023, Rhissa Ag Boula launched a Resistance Council for the Republic whose objective was to counter the CNSP junta. In his audio message, he finally indicates that he will settle later “ his accounts with the junta “.
Also readNiger: relatives of ex-president Mohamed Bazoum stripped of their nationality