The President of Niger, Mohamed Bazoum, on Friday evening expressed his "
gratitude
" to France, whose
sacrifices
he praised
in the Sahel countries, at a time when criticism against the French military presence in this region is increasing.
"
Of all the countries which are committed to our side in the fight against terrorism, today France is the country which makes the most sacrifices,
" he said in an interview on Nigerien radio and television.
Read also France gives military equipment to Niger for the anti-jihadist fight
According to him, the detractors of his regime and of France have "
no idea of the number of terrorists arrested in the area of Torodi (near Burkina) before they take action
" and this, "
thanks to cooperation with the French intelligence services
”.
"
We are grateful to France for what it is doing to secure the Sahel
" and "
the day the French pack up in Gao (northern Mali), it will be chaos, the people of Gao know it anyway
" , he added, estimating that "
everywhere where in the Sahel one can weaken the terrorists, it is a gain for us
".
This affirmed support for France comes at a time when criticism of the French military presence is increasing in Niger, Mali and Burkina Faso.
A French military convoy that left Côte d'Ivoire and went to Gao, passing through Burkina Faso and Niger, was stranded in Burkina for more than a week following anti-French protests.
After negotiations with the organizers of these demonstrations, he was able to resume his journey to Niger where he arrived on Friday.
President Bazoum also praised the training and equipping of 12 special forces battalions within the Nigerien army by the United States, Belgium, Germany, Canada and France.
These special forces will make it possible to establish "
a good balance of power vis-à-vis our enemy,
" he said.
