President Mahamadou Issoufou
President Mahamadou Issoufou of Niger has said that he fears Islamic militants could seize power in Libya as a result of the civil war in its northern neighbor. Speaking on state television, Issoufou said Niger would not take sides in the conflict, unlike several other African nations which back the rebels, and insisted the only solution to the violence was through a negotiated political accord. ”Niger’s interest is that this crisis does not result in fundamentalists taking power, that’s our concern,” said Issoufou, who won March elections which returned Niger to civilian rule after a year of military government. ”Niger’s interest is that the crisis resolves itself, that it does not drag on and that the Libyan state does not go the same way as Somalia,” he added. The Horn of Africa state is battling against al Shabaabrebels linked to al Qaeda.
Several African countries, including Senegal, Gambia and Liberia, have either distanced themselves from leader Muammar Gaddafi or overtly recognized the rebel National Transitional Council (NTC) as representing the Libyan people. But Issoufou said that Niger, which is already struggling to deal with the return of some 211,000 migrant Nigeriens forced out of Libya by the violence, would remain neutral. ”On Libya, we are not aligning ourselves behind anyone,” he said, adding that African Union efforts to get agreement for a “roadmap” deal involving a ceasefire and a transitional phase leading to elections appeared to be making progress. He did not give further details.
Aside from the risk that the return of migrants destabilizes Niger and other neighbors to the south of Libya, there are also concerns that arms spilling out of Libya will end up in the hands of al Qaeda-linked groups involved in trafficking, hostage-taking and clashes with armed forces in the region.
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It’s always funny to read in the international media that “several African countries” have turned their backs on Gaddafi (either implicitly or overtly), but they list 3-5 countries!! With 54 countries in Africa, the apt term to use for that very small number of governments would be “a few.” But hey, what the heck, this is propaganda season… a little bit of salt and spice to make the point is understandable, right??? Too bad…
I dont know why the world is not just!! they tend to interfere in an others mans affairs as if they are even capable of solving their own problems at home.Why they always come in the name of peace and ended up killing innocent lives, it is only the Libiyans and Africa as a whole is suffering from this new type of colonialsm.Midea tatics and weaponery warfare.If you are tired with your weapons destory them all.No human is more than a human in the sight of GOD, so every man has the right to life!!.If you dont have enough resources to sustain the kind of live you want to live?, Dont be shy or ashamed, dont be a wolf in a sheep clothing!!!You can peacfully come and negociate fo it with those who have it aboundantly.Or else you learn to live within your means and cut your coat according to your size!!!! thanks