Hello John and Doves,
Just got a SMS Alert Text from
alertsusa.com: "US Embassy Niger issues security alert
warning Americans in the capital to cont to
shelter-in-place. National airspace, airport, and
borders closed.
"Both the U.S. and France operate
military bases in Niger as part of operations to disrupt
jihadist group activity in the wider region. Niger
became the main base for French troops after they were told
to leave Mali following a 2021 coup." There are some
1000 U.S. troops stationed there.
"The U.S. Embassy advises U.S.
citizens to shelter in place, limit unnecessary movements
around town, and continue to avoid transiting the downtown
and Presidential Palace area."
"Niger airspace is closed until
further notice. The airport is closed and commercial
flights to and from Niamey are suspended. Niger
borders are also closed."
"The embassy is aware of reports
of scarcity of cash and some goods. There is no
information as to when scarce resources will be
replenished. Please do your best to plan accordingly.'
A bit of good news in this:
Victoria Nuland (and U.N officials) was
"snubbed" by the new Niger government - she
wasn't allowed to meet with the ousted president.
Nice. She's a war monger of the worst kind - if that's
even a possibility. She's the Acting Deputy Secretary
of State - they don't come much nastier than her. She
threatened Niger with "consequences" if they don't put the
ousted president back in office. And she warned them
against getting too close to Russia/Wagner. The U.S.
gives Niger hundred of millions in aid - and military
funding.
Senior
U.S. Diplomat Victoria Nuland’s Request Snubbed by Niger
Coup Leaders
And if Antony Blinken is calling
Mohamed Bazoum's presidency 'constitutional rule' and a
'democratically elected president' - then we know there was
a lot of shenanigans, manipulation, and corruption that put
it in power. With the U.S. and France's sticky fingers
all over it.
So, at least the new government of
Niger is wise to the ways of the U.S.!! Nothing good
comes out of the Biden administration.
The ruling African block in the
region (ECOWAS) had threatened military intervention on last
Sunday - but that day came and went. They are meeting
again Thursday in Abuja, Nigeria to discuss the situation.
The U.S. is being careful not to
upset the new rulers as the U.S. has a major drone base in
Niger worth around $100 million.
"Analysts and diplomats say the
window for military intervention is closing and without
regional support for the use of force, ECOWAS and others are
searching for a way out." The U.S. already gives
"hundreds of millions of dollars in military assistance and
other aid" to Niger.
Yet another mess! We just
keep funding - with money and weapons - coups, skirmishes
all around the world!
There has been anti-French
sentiment in Niger for years. Niger was a colony of
France. For a country so rich in uranium and gold, the
people are very poor. Niger's largest export is
gold. Like many African countries, Niger has been
exploited and corruption has ran rampant.
There was suppose to be a natural
gas pipeline to Europe - the Trans-Saharan Gas Pipeline
(5,600 km long) - to run from Nigeria via Niger to the gas
hub in Algeria - well that $13 billion dollar deal got
halted. China could make a deal to purchase the natural gas
and keep it or sell it to Europe. Europe is in dire
need of natural gas - cheaper natural gas than what it's
having to pay now.
Coup
In Niger Could Derail This Strategic Pipeline |
OilPrice.com
It's being reported that the
Niger's armed forces are on heightened alert - combat
readiness - after terrorist attack on guard post - the
French are being blamed. And also the French air force
has violated Niger air space 'in preparation for an
invasion'. There are also reports that French troops
have moved against Niger troops. And French special
forces are in the country.
"Paris is now faced with a
strategic dilemma. If it lets Niger
continue its path toward actual independence, France will be
unable to continue exploiting the country's natural
resources..." France does not have many troops in
Africa and none are close enough to stage an invasion
without going through other African countries. The
French are not well liked in Africa. Hard to find an
ally. Unlikely NATO or the U.S. will help France if
France invaded.
French
invasion of Niger could turn into all-out Franco-African
war
"The Niger crisis shows France's
quasi-empire in Africa is finally crumbling." France
has about 1,500 troops in Niger and an air force base with
fighter jets and attack drones. Niger is the
world's 7th largest producer of uranium. 70% of
France's energy comes from nuclear power plants.
If Russia, China, and Turkey play
their cards right - all those riches in Niger, Mali, Burkina
Faso, Sudan, Chad, Guinea could be 'arranged' to fall into
their hands. Blinken had visited with the before-ousted
president back in March - seeing how the African situation
was starting to domino and Russian influence was
rising. Too late - Africa is rising. Blinken is
a dismal failure - everywhere he goes.
Looks like France is between a
rock and a hard place. And the West isn't interested
in helping them out. Niger, so far, isn't allowing the
U.S. to boss them around and maybe the junta can keep
Niger's resources for the betterment of the people.
We'll see. China and Russia are on the move and $$$
corrupts. Wagner's services aren't free.
Anything can happen....
Pray for the peace of Jerusalem!
Maranatha!
Chance