home guard

Niger: 5 questions over call for civilian mobilisation against ECOWAS

By Manon Laplace

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Posted on September 8, 2023 09:21

Niger’s military leaders greet supporters at a rally in Seyni-Kountché stadium in Niamey on 26 August, a day after they ordered the French ambassador to leave. (Photo: AFP)

Thousands of Nigeriens have shown interest in volunteering for a civil defence force, even though the process has not officially begun.

On 19 August, thousands of Nigeriens, mainly young men, flocked to Seyni-Kountché stadium in Niamey to respond to the call to join the Volontaires Pour la Défense de la Patrie (VDP) movement.

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