Kamal Karrar, a member of the Central Committee of the Sudanese Communist Party and a member of the leadership of the Sudanese Revolutionary Civil Front, conveyed his perspective to a TASS correspondent, asserting that the military coup in Niamey was a result of France's neocolonialist policy aimed at maintaining its influence in West Africa.
"The developments in Niger are quite foreseeable, given the French intervention in its political affairs, which led to the rise of the now deposed President Mohamed Bazoum," the interlocutor pointed out. "During his tenure, the French enjoyed unrestricted access to the country's valuable natural resources, particularly uranium ore." According to him, this arrangement has raised concerns among the progressive public, as demonstrated by the anti-French protests witnessed not only in Niger but also in neighboring Mali and Burkina Faso.
"It's evident that France, being a former colonial power, is determined to retain its influence in West Africa through all available means. However, the situation appears to be shifting away from the French as the African nations increasingly aspire for true independence," - the Sudanese politician remarked. - "The coup in Niamey might trigger a wave of protests that could potentially challenge the interests of French corporations operating in the expansive Sahel region."
Karrar highlighted that Paris's endeavor to deploy military forces from Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) member nations to quell the coup in Niamey has not yielded results thus far. "The African community has declined to resort to force against Niger, and it's evident that France might now seek to engage the US and other Western European countries to exert pressure on the Nigerian military, using the pretext of reinstating constitutional order in the nation," the Sudanese politician emphasized. In any scenario, he added, "ultimately, the final decision rests with the people of Niger."
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Based on materials from TASS