A former rebel leader has formed an anti-coup campaign to reinstall President Bazoum
A former minister in Niger’s recently overthrown government, Rhissa Ag Boula, has launched a resistance movement, seeking to undo the July 26 coup and reinstate President Mohamed Bazoum.
Boula announced the formation of the Council of Resistance for the Republic (CRR) in a statement on Wednesday, calling for the restoration of constitutional order and the arrest of General Abdourahamane Tchiani, the leader of the new military government.
“Niger was the victim of a tragedy orchestrated by those who are nevertheless responsible for preserving it,” the politician stated.
The movement is the first internal opposition to the takeover, which has seen military leaders detain Bazoum and his family at his residence for the past two weeks.
Thousands of citizens have backed Niger’s coup-imposed government. Neighboring Mali and Burkina Faso have also expressed support for the new leadership and warned regional and international governments against intervening militarily.
The CRR, on the other hand, has stated that it supports efforts to restore constitutional legitimacy and ensure Bazoum’s full return to duty.
“The CRR warns that it will take all the necessary means to eliminate this perfidious practice of questioning the choices of peoples by crooked and irresponsible soldiers,” the statement said.
