Faced with the rise of the putschists and their allies, a new resistance movement is currently emerging in Niger. Rhissa Ag Boula, a former Tuareg rebel who became Minister of State for the Presidency, has announced the creation of a Resistance Council for the Republic (CRR) with the aim of restoring President Bazoum to office. In a statement, he strongly condemns the coup and denounces the hardline methods of some members of the junta, as well as their attempt to call in mercenaries.
Rhissa Ag Boula is a well-known figure in the Sahel region. A former Tuareg rebel leader, he played a key role in the 1991 and 2007 rebellions. After laying down his arms in 2011, he became Minister of Tourism under the presidency of Mamadou Tandja, then rallied to Mahamadou Issoufou. Under the Bazoum regime, he served as minister of state in the presidency and is considered one of the president’s closest advisers.
According to experts, Rhissa Ag Boula is an influential figure in the Sahel region, with extensive experience in the field and a deep understanding of politico-army dynamics. It is therefore with a certain legitimacy that he launched this resistance movement to try to overthrow the military junta and restore constitutional order in Niger.
The Resistance Council for the Republic also affirms its support for the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and its international partners for a possible military intervention. He believes that all necessary measures must be taken to restore the legitimacy of President Bazoum and put an end to the political crisis that has shaken the country since the coup.
This resistance movement represents a new actor in the political crisis in Niger and could play a key role in the months to come. It remains to be seen whether the CRR will be able to mobilize enough support to thwart the military junta and restore constitutional order in the country