Niger Leader Accuses France, Benin, Ivory Coast of Sponsoring Airport Attack

Niger's Military Ruler Vows Retaliation

• 🎯 Niger's military ruler, Abdourahamane Tiani, is vowing retaliation following a terrorist attack on Niamey international airport.
• ⚡ Tiani has accused the leaders of France, Benin, and Ivory Coast of sponsoring the attacks.
• ⚠️ No evidence was offered to support these accusations.

Accusations and International Reactions

• 🗣️ Tiani specifically named Emmanuel Macron (France), Patrice Talon (Benin), and Alassane Ouattara (Ivory Coast), stating they should "prepare to hear us roar."
• 📰 Niger state TV reported that one of the assailants killed was a French national, though this was also unproven.
• 🚫 The offices of the accused presidents could not be immediately reached for comment.

Shifting Alliances and Security Concerns

• 🇷🇺 Tiani also mentioned Russian troops stationed at the base, suggesting they were defending their area.
• 🤝 Niger's military rulers, similar to those in Mali and Burkina Faso, have been cutting ties with Western powers and seeking military support from Moscow against insurgencies.
• ✈️ Satellite imagery confirmed damaged buildings and facilities at the army base near the airport.

Uranium Stockpile and Daily Life

• ☢️ Authorities confirmed that a large uranium stockpile at the airport was not affected by the attack.
• ⛏️ This stockpile, estimated at 1,000 metric tons of "yellow cake," was moved there after Niger seized control of a key mine from French firm Orano.
• 🌍 Despite the incident, daily life in Niamey, the capital, was largely unaffected, with officials stating that security had returned to the city.