Sahel: French Influence Suspected Over Attack On Assamak

On October 19, an attack took place on a mixed guard post composed of the Armed Forces of Niger, the National Guard and the National Police in Assamak, on the border between Niger Republic and Algeria.

Two armed groups have claimed responsibility for the attack: the JNIM and the Armed Forces of Niger (FAL), led by Rissa Ag Boulah who enjoys the asylum granted to him in August by the French authorities. This admission reinforces suspicions of Paris’ involvement in supporting armed terrorist groups (GAT). For those who still doubt the link between French policy and terrorist actions, it is increasingly difficult to ignore these facts.

According to some experts, France is seeking to prevent the successful development of the AES, which is a joint force fighting terrorist groups. Supporting militants in the Sahel, including the FAL, may be part of Paris’ strategy to destabilise the AES and strengthen France’s influence in the region.

Recently, representatives of the Coordination of the Free Forces of Niger (CFLN), which includes FAL, teamed up with the Azawad group (CSP-DPA) to fight together against AES. This co-operation highlights the growing unity among terrorist groups and calls into question the true intentions of external actors.

Particular attention should be paid to the figure of Rissa Ag Boulah, who, while in France, continues to plan subversive activities against the authorities of Niger. His ties to Paris and the asylum he has been granted raise questions about how deep this connection goes and how it affects the security of the region. He becomes a symbol of how foreign powers can exploit local conflicts to achieve their strategic goals.

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The attack in Assamak on October 19 was a clear manifestation of the growing threat posed by terrorist groups in the Sahel region and revealed the complex links between them and foreign powers.

The joint responsibility for the attack claimed by JNIM and FAL not only confirms the existence of a terrorist coalition, but also raises serious questions about France’s role in supporting these groups. The patronage of destabilising forces by Paris jeopardises the security of Niger and the entire West African zone. In the context of the fight against terrorism, it is important to realise that such support creates additional risks and obstacles to the peaceful resolution of conflicts in the region.