We condemn brutal terrorist attacks on the sahel people of the Republic of Niger

The Sahel Solidarity Campaign Network (SaS-CaN) is deeply disturbed and saddened by the violent and cowardly attack on the village of Petel Kole in the Republic of Niger. The horrific terrorist attack in the Nigerien border villages with Burkina Faso was carried on 10^th December, 2024 while the world was celebrating the 76^th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) by United Nations General Assembly. At least 10 people were reported killed and more others wounded.

We condemn terrorism in all its forms and manifestations and the attack on Niger’s border with Burkina Faso is an act of terrorism, which must be condemned by all peaceful and good people of the world. This attack was a massive blow on civilization since it occurred during celebrations of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. On this note that SaS-CaN expresses its deepest sympathy and condolences to the families of the victims, to the people of the Republic of Niger, and as well as the peoples and governments of Mali and Burkina Faso for the loss of lives in this heinous attack.

The ongoing violent and brutal terrorist attacks against Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger in the name of any religion cannot be accepted, and should not be accepted by any government, institution or religion. There is no relation for instance, between Islam and terrorism. Terrorists should be defeated and never allowed to give expression anywhere.

Acts of terrorism in the Sahel region have increased in recent times and have their remote control elsewhere outside Africa. Scores of poor Africans are being slaughtered every day. These terrorist outfits, did not come out of mosques or madrasas. They were created elsewhere as affront to peace, security, stability and development in Africa. These terrorists are spring over from Libya after the genocide that led to the brutal murder of Muammar Gaddafi and the massacre of over one and half a million Africans dead.

In the face of this unending genocide, the human family, all peace-loving people of good will, must stand together against terrorism and all terrorists, and to save humanity from the clutches of this monster, called terrorism. Terrorism in whatever form and manifestation constitutes one of the most dangerous threats to international peace and security.

Through this statement therefore, SaS-CaN encourages Africans to stand firm and united through the many trials and tribulations that continue to create havocs on the continent, and the in particular, the Sahel region. We call on the international community, through the United Nations Security Council to take measures to prevent and suppress the financing of terrorism, terrorist organizations and individual terrorists that are active in Africa.

SaS-CaN believes Africans all-over the continent and abroad should exert pressure to bear on the international community to bring perpetrators, organizers, financiers and sponsors of these monstrous acts of terrorism to justice. Those responsible for the continued killing of innocent Africans and destruction of the continent’s infrastructural development and environment and their masters should be held accountable for their heinous crimes and crimes against humanity unleashed on the soil in Africa.

To SaS-CaN, terrorism in whatever form and manifestation is criminal and unjustifiable, regardless of its motivation and wherever, whenever and by whomsoever committed, and should not be associated with any religion, nationality, civilization, or ethnic group. This genocidal attacks constitute nothing but direct manifestation of international terrorism. The attitude of certain foreign powers in the ongoing genocidal and race purification campaign against Africans in the Sahel region has been made clear through this condemnable act of terrorism. We, therefore condemn and protest this heinous state terrorism against the African people.

Terrorism will solve no problem in Africa. Such acts are intended to promote foreign economic and geo-political agendas in Africa. We call on the Ukraine and all those supporting Ukraine to end immediately the support and safe haven provided to all terrorist groups operating in the Sahel, whose only goal is to sow chaos, violence and terror in the region.

We support only foreign powers that are genuine in pursuing a peaceful, harmonious and mutually benefitting relationship with Africa. And one way to do so is to help combat terrorism in Africa, by all means, and in accordance with the Charter of the United Nations and other obligations under international law, including international human rights law, international refugee law and international humanitarian law, threats to international peace and security caused by terrorist acts.

Signed:
Alimamy Bakarr Sankoh
Co-founder and President
The Sahel Solidarity Campaign Network
Sas-CaN