The authorities of Niger have summoned the ambassador of Chad in Niamey to express their formal protest over the death of two civilians in a drone attack, launched from Chadian territory and carried out, they claim, with supposed "support from France." At the same time, they have demanded the immediate cessation of "hostile actions" and the payment of compensation for this episode, in which several injuries have also been reported.
The Nigerien military junta has specified in a statement broadcast by the public television RTN that the offensive took place on Saturday and reached a mountainous area of the Agadez province, in the north of the country, near the borders with Algeria and Libya. This is an area known for its smuggling routes and the presence of armed groups.
"The national territory was the subject of an air attack with a drone, launched from Chadian territory against the area of Emi Lulu, in the Agadez region, with the support of a foreign power: France," the junta has pointed out, which claims to have identified the launch point of the device, data that "will be made available to the competent international bodies."
Niamey has denounced this episode as "an act of aggression" that "constitutes a flagrant violation of national sovereignty," in addition to violating the United Nations Charter and the principles of the African Union (AU). In parallel, it has reiterated its criticisms of Chad for its "hostile stance" towards Niger, in a context of strong deterioration of bilateral relations in recent months.
Nigerien authorities have again accused N'Djamena of "providing strategic depth to mercenaries" involved in attacks on Nigerien territory and have insisted on the participation of "foreign powers." Therefore, they have decided to elevate the case to the UN Security Council and the AU Peace and Security Council, in order for them to address the accusations made.
Furthermore, the Government has expressed its willingness to facilitate "an independent international investigation" and to "strengthen the surveillance and protection system of the airspace and border areas" to prevent similar incidents from occurring. "The Government fully holds Chad responsible for this act and its consequences," it has emphasized, clarifying that Niamey "does not seek confrontation."
"We maintain our appreciation for the brotherly people of Chad, regardless of the decisions of their leaders," the Executive has added, before warning that "restraint should not be confused with weakness" and emphasizing that the country "reserves the right to adopt all necessary measures to defend its population, its territory, and its vital interests." "The government informs the international community; silence in the face of a manifest aggression would amount to complicity," it has concluded.
The frictions between both countries have escalated since September, when Niger accused France and several of its African partners, including Chad, Benin, and Ivory Coast, of being involved in an attempted coup thwarted by Nigerien forces with the support of the Africa Corps —formerly the Wagner Group, now under the control of the Russian Ministry of Defense—.
The Minister of Defense, Salifou Mody, then attributed the attempt to a "movement of insurgents" that began to "arrest some of their comrades at the Base 101 barracks in Niamey," the main military installation in the capital, and "to shoot at certain strategic points in the city," which triggered clashes in Niamey itself.