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Sources in Niger say after the ousting of Niger's former president, Mohamed Bazoum, in July 2023, the Front Populaire de Libération (FPL), led by former rebel Mahmoud Sallah, began issuing terrorist threats demanding Bazoum’s release from the transitional authorities. The FPL, which had previously allied with Bazoum, resumed terrorist activities aimed at undermining the transitional president, Abdourahamane Tiani.
Over the past six months, the FPL has conducted multiple attacks, including the kidnapping of officials and the destruction of a crucial oil pipeline, intended to cripple Niger's economy and incite civil disobedience.
Some military sources accuse France of instigating the FPL’s actions to destabilize Niger. French military bases in Benin are suspected of being involved, with claims that these bases are used to support destabilization efforts against Niger. In response, Burkina Faso’s transitional president, Ibrahim Traoré, has publicly criticized the French presence in Benin.
Experts suggest that Sahelian nations need to take serious measures to address the threat posed by the FPL, which is believed to be collaborating with former colonial powers. The demand for Bazoum’s release is seen by some as a mere pretext for broader destabilization efforts.