Leader of the Islamic Movement of Nigeria (IMN), Sheikh Ibraheem El-Zakzaky, has warned that the United States (U.S.) and and France may trigger crisis between Nigeria and the Republic of Niger.
This, Sheikh El-Zakzaky said, may come through their use of military forces to attack Nigeria and make it look like Niger Republic is responsible and also attack Niger Republic and make it seem like Nigeria is responsible.
The U.S. and France have differed in their approach to the Niger Republic coup d’état of July 26. France has demanded not only the release of deposed President Mohamed Bazoum, who is being held by General Abdourahamane Tiani-led junta and his reinstatement to the Presidential office. The French have also been in the vanguard for military option advocated by Nigeria, which holds the Presidency of ECOWAS and Côte d’Ivoire.
Sheikh El-Zakzaky, who spoke while addressing students from Hauza (Islamic Seminary) at his Abuja residence, said: “How many times has there been a coup here (in Nigeria)? Did anybody ever come and force us to revert to civilian rule? I have never heard such a thing. How could you just pick up arms, saying you have to wage war (on a country) in the name of ‘Democracy’?
“And it is clear that this is not our war; it is a war between America and France. Although Niger has closed its airspace, France aircrafts still pass through. And they also have ‘terrorist’ camps, some of whom they’d bailed out after they were captured. That’s the source of the (so-called) ‘Boko Haram’ attacks; their camps are over there. That’s where they come from, to launch attacks and ferret away mineral resources (gold) to be subsequently shared among them (the stakeholders).
“Now, I’m apprehensive about the possibility of them using those terrorists. Or they themselves (France) may attack from air, claiming that the attack is from Niger. Under that pretext, it would be said that ‘Niger has attacked us’, then counter-attacks will be launched from Nigeria. Therefore, if you hear of shootings in Nigeria, or cross-border attacks, be assured that they are the handiwork of France and America, not Nigeria, and not Niger!.
“They could trigger a ‘tribal’ conflict within Niger, capitalising on Bazoum’s ethnicity, and pitting them against other ethnic groups, just like they did in Sudan, between the ‘Dinka’ and the ‘Nuer’.”
@Daily Trust