Africa News of Friday, 2 April 2021
Source: africanews.com
Niger's new president Mohamed Bazoum lashed out on Friday at jihadists who have carried out devastating attacks on his country, accusing them of "war crimes" after he took the helm of the troubled nation.
The inauguration marked the first-ever transition between elected presidents in Niger's six decades of independence from France -- a historic moment that has been widely praised.
But the Sahel country's problems were deeply underscored in the run-up to Friday's ceremony, after a string of jihadist massacres and an alleged attempted coup just two days before the handover.
Bazoum hit out at "terrorist groups whose barbarity has exceeded every limit."
These groups "carry out large-scale massacres of innocent civilians, and in doing so, commit real war crimes," Bazoum declared.
Niger is being hit by insurgents linked to Al-Qaeda or the so-called Islamic State (IS), crossing from Mali and Burkina Faso in the west, and by Boko Haram, crossing from Nigeria in the southeast.
Thousands of people have been killed, and hundreds of thousands have fled their homes.
Since the start of this year alone, more than 300 people have been killed in three attacks in the west.
In its campaign to roll back the threat, Niger's diplomatic efforts "will be centred on Mali," Bazoum said.
DIRECTLY FROM NIGER CONFERENCE FIELD
— JABIR ABUBAKAR RUWAN BORE (@Bellomatawalle3) April 2, 2021
The swearing-in ceremony of Niger's President-elect Hon. Mohamed Bazoum
His Excellency Dr @Bellomatawalle1 is got to the swearing-in ceremony @mohamedbazoum pic.twitter.com/GNdYmc0idT
I witnessed the swearing in ceremony of H.E. Mohamed Bazoum as President of the Republic of Niger @PresidenceNiger, at the Centre de Conférence Mahatma Gandhi, in Niamey, on 2 April 2021. A historic occasion. pic.twitter.com/v7YAclYce8
— Mamman Nuhu (@Amb_MNuhu) April 2, 2021
Savannah warmly congratulates HE President Mohamed Bazoum of Niger on his Inauguration Day – we look forward to working with his administration as we continue to support the growth in Niger’s energy industry for the benefit of the country and its people #SavannahEnergy #Niger pic.twitter.com/jLYpjOfxgh
— Savannah Energy (@Savannah_Energy) April 2, 2021