https://en.sputniknews.africa/20240102/people-of-niger-have-risen-up-as-one-education-unionist-on-french-withdrawal-from-nation-1064426687.html
'People of Niger Have Risen Up as One': Education Unionist on French Withdrawal From Nation
'People of Niger Have Risen Up as One': Education Unionist on French Withdrawal From Nation
Sputnik Africa
On December 22, the last French troops deployed in Niger left the country at the request of the Nigerien new leaders, who took power after a military coup in... 02.01.2024, Sputnik Africa
2024-01-02T12:54+0100
2024-01-02T12:54+0100
2024-01-02T12:54+0100
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Since the coup government took power in Niger, the West African nation has united to demand the withdrawal of French troops, whose presence was not intended to protect the territory of the former colony, Sadou Hassane, a teacher and secretary general of the regional executive office of Niger's National Union of Civil Servant and Contract Employees in Secondary Education (SYNAFCES), told Sputnik Africa.Hassane noted that since the new authorities took power in Niger, great efforts have been made in the area of security, however, "in certain localities, armed terrorist groups continue to carry out a series of targeted actions, particularly against teachers and school staff."Commenting on the government's plans to reopen 122 schools, including primary and secondary schools, with a total of 10,259 students who should continue their education, the teacher noted that it is important to ensure that "all the necessary conditions are in place to guarantee the safety not only of the teachers, but also of all those involved in the school in general."In this sense, he emphasized that the reopening of the schools would give back to the students their fundamental right to education.The military coup in Niger on July 26 was followed by massive anti-French protests, demonstrating the local population's rebuttal of the former colonial master and demanding the withdrawal of its forces.In addition to the troop withdrawal, which Paris completed at the end of 2023, Niger secured the expulsion of the French ambassador to the West African country, Sylvain Itte, and ended cooperation with the International Organization of Francophone Nations.
https://en.sputniknews.africa/20231230/thousands-of-nigeriens-take-to-streets-to-celebrate-french-troops-withdrawal-1064380982.html
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africa insight, niger, france, west africa, military, education, terrorism, school
africa insight, niger, france, west africa, military, education, terrorism, school
'People of Niger Have Risen Up as One': Education Unionist on French Withdrawal From Nation
On December 22, the last French troops deployed in Niger left the country at the request of the Nigerien new leaders, who took power after a military coup in July.
Since the coup government took power in Niger, the West African nation has united to demand the withdrawal of French troops, whose presence was not intended to protect the territory of the former colony, Sadou Hassane, a teacher and secretary general of the regional executive office of Niger's National Union of Civil Servant and Contract Employees in Secondary Education (SYNAFCES), told Sputnik Africa.
"We've understood that with the deployment of its forces in the Sahel in general and in Niger in particular, France is pursuing another agenda that has nothing to do with the security of our territory. That's why, in any case, since the new authorities came to power, the people of Niger have risen as one to demand the immediate withdrawal of these troops from our territory," he noted.
Hassane noted that since the new authorities took power in Niger,
great efforts have been made in the area of security, however, "in certain localities, armed terrorist groups continue to carry out a series of targeted actions, particularly against teachers and school staff."
Commenting on the government's plans to reopen 122 schools, including primary and secondary schools, with a total of 10,259 students who should continue their education, the teacher noted that it is important to ensure that "all the necessary conditions are in place to guarantee the safety not only of the teachers, but also of
all those involved in the school in general."
In this sense, he emphasized that the reopening of the schools would give back to the students their fundamental right to education.
"We welcomed the decision by the new regional education authorities to reopen these schools, as many children in the region have been deprived of one of their fundamental rights, which is the right to education. So this reopening, in any case, will enable these children to regain their rights," Hassane pointed out.
The military coup in Niger on July 26 was followed by massive anti-French protests, demonstrating the local population's rebuttal of the former colonial master and demanding the withdrawal of its forces.
In addition to the troop withdrawal, which Paris completed at the end of 2023, Niger secured the expulsion of the French ambassador to the West African country, Sylvain Itte, and
ended cooperation with the International Organization of Francophone Nations.
