Niger 🇳🇪: Tiani Panics, Arms Himself with Illusions, and Fires Recklessly at Overwhelming and Established Truths
Chatoumane: The Martyr and the Fabricating General
By: Samir Musa
This title perfectly encapsulates the contradictory narrative delivered by General Tiani regarding the recent tragedy in Chatoumane. It reveals no regard for truth or facts from a traitor to the Nigerien cause. Instead, it exposes a man obsessed with denying evidence, deflecting blame from his proven incompetence and monumental failures, and dragging along a trail of disgraceful blunders.
The devastating attack in Chatoumane modern day Sahel’s own holocaust claimed the lives of at least 200 brave soldiers and innocent civilians in one tragic sweep. This horrific event has starkly highlighted the pathetic impotence of Niger’s defense and security forces. For those who doubted, the tragedy serves as undeniable proof of the mediocrity and incompetence now reigning at the helm of Niger’s state apparatus.
Initially, the attack was denied, likely to avoid provoking public outrage and the fury of the armed forces. But the unprecedented scale of the disaster and the ensuing outcry forced an acknowledgment, albeit a partial one, with a narrative riddled with inconsistencies and absurdities. Half-truths, laced with incoherences, replaced the outright lies, but transparency remained elusive.
Precise Intelligence Ignored, No Preventive Action Taken
General Tiani admitted that Niger’s military was informed of the movement of several terrorist columns from Mali, Burkina Faso, and W National Park by relevant intelligence services. Yet, despite this strategic information, no preventive action was taken by Niger’s military or its allies in Burkina Faso and Mali, who had reportedly raised the alarm about suspicious movements.
While Niger, Burkina Faso, and Mali claim to have forged a collective destiny and defense pact to combat terrorism, no efforts were made to intercept or neutralize the enemy before their arrival in Chatoumane.
The Nigerien army, it appears, chose inaction over any proactive deployment to mitigate risks or thwart the looming danger. Additionally, the AES drones, often used to strike at innocent civilians (as seen recently in Tillabéri), were conspicuously absent from this mission. Why weren’t these aerial assets deployed to bomb armed groups en route to Chatoumane, this time for a just cause?
The negligence could stem from a lack of concern or the plummeting morale of troops, who might no longer be willing to engage in perilous battles. Alternatively, it could reflect a broader collapse of state administration and governance a testament to the state’s comprehensive failure. As the saying goes, even God cannot help a man lost in the abyss of nothingness.
General Tiani’s comments border on the comedic, if they weren’t so tragically tied to the fate of his people. With an air of casual recklessness, he informed the world that his army, “surprised” by the sheer number of terrorists, had to retreat stealthily, losing 10 soldiers in the process.
How could the army, privy to detailed intelligence about the enemy’s plans and strength, claim to have been surprised? The logical question is whether Niger’s military is capable of analyzing field data, organizing an effective tactical response, or even drafting a battle plan.
Moreover, the chaotic retreat, under “fixation fire,” highlights a lack of preparation and equipment to confront a threat that was supposedly foreseen.
An Unavoidable Encirclement or a Gross Tactical Blunder?
The most glaring failure of the Nigerien forces was allowing themselves to be encircled despite repositioning 2-3 kilometers from their usual base. This catastrophic scenario defies explanation, especially given the precise intelligence received in advance.
If the army knew the terrorists were moving in columns, why didn’t it deploy support or covering forces to avoid encirclement? The inability of AES armies to halt these advancing columns and neutralize the threat before they reached Chatoumane underscores a glaring disconnect between intelligence gathering and actionable field operations.
A Perverse Denial and Deceptive Justifications
Whenever faced with challenges or public discontent, General Tiani resorts to desperate denials and audacious attempts to deflect attention from reality. Unfortunately, the violent and ugly truth always resurfaces, dismantling the junta’s official narratives and exposing state sanctioned lies.
The tragedy in Chatoumane exemplifies this pattern, as official propaganda faces the relentless scrutiny of witnesses committed to truth. Each documented and substantiated rebuttal weakens the putschists and discredits Tiani’s fanciful rhetoric.
A Litany of Excuses Amid a Sea of Failures
Tiani’s statements about the bloody attack in Chatoumane reveal his unfitness to lead troops and the growing distrust between him and his compatriots. His dishonest explanations sought to scapegoat others for the tragedy while shielding his army, particularly the chain of command, from accountability.
This approach will not boost troop morale or inspire them to risk their lives for officers who abandon them at the frontlines to indulge in the luxuries of power. Disheartened and unsupported, soldiers are losing the motivation and capability to fight effectively, inadvertently emboldening terrorists to intensify their actions.
A Nation Without a Captain or Compass
The tragedy of Chatoumane stands as one of the most glaring examples of the disarray and decline of Niger’s military under General Tiani’s dismal regime. Through his demagogic speeches, erratic decisions, and extravagant actions, the renegade general has exposed Niger to immense risks and dangers.
The people of Niger, oppressed and disillusioned, must reclaim their freedom and dignity. As long as Tiani remains in power, Niger will languish in darkness, and its people will endure unspeakable suffering.
It is time for accountability. It is inconceivable and deeply offensive that a proud and resilient nation like Niger should endure the oppression of inept and self-serving military leaders. As the saying goes, “Help yourself, and heaven will help you.” Strength and courage to the martyrs of the Sahel in their quest for liberation from outdated military tyrannies.
