the french army has been forced to completely withdraw its troops from niger after french president emmanuel macron's arrogant refusal to recognize the military. led transitional government in this country. the people of niger also held countless demonstrations demanding the ejection of french troops uh from their country. in further escalation of the situation, macron has decided to indefinitely close the country's embassy in niame. now this came after the expulsion of of the french ambassador as well as the initiation of defense agreements by the transitional authorities. niger was one of the last reliable french partners. the region

and therefore, the withdrawal of troops is a blow to these imperialist power. after the departure of french troops and diplomats, the people of niger are now taking on france's economic interests in the country and are demanding the cancellation of exploitative uranium mining agreements with french companies. the fiasco in niger constitutes a chain of this graceful events for france in the sahel in recent years. so does the humiliation of france in niger? ignore the end of french imperialism in africa. hello, i'm mubarak kenya and this is africa today. this week we are focusing on the humiliation of france in niger after the disgraceful withdrawal of its troops in these west african country. you can be part of the conversation by sending us your comments through our social media handle. france humiliated in niger. "the last french troops

deployed in niger left the country during the last days of december, three months after french president emmanuel macron announced that he was withdrawing all troops deployed in the country. the move followed orders of the transitional government that came to power last july following a popular military coup. it was the third time in less than two years that french troops had been ejected from a country in the sahel. the people of nigers say that the day the last french troops left the country. is seen as an independence day, aujourd'hui du cnsp, we need the new rulers to forge trade and defense relations with countries that will treat us with fairness and respect. this day we consider as our day of independence. to discuss the humiliation of france in niger, we have contacted abdul latif ahmed, a journalist and the researcher based in legos, nigeria. thank you for your time today, sir. thank you for having me. we also have

collinske a global affairs analyst and member of the green party in belgium. thank you sir for your time today. thank you very much. mubarak for having me. now the last french troops deployed in niger have left the country after sustained protests by the masses who felt that french troops are part of the many problems niger faces including terrorism. now let's start off with the ahmed in legos. now come. the withdrawal of french troops be considered victory for the people of niger? absolutely, you see protest are some of the most fundamental ways of expressing, civic method of expressing enchantment with the system, and if the people for which the security is meantful are protesting against the presence of french forces, then there is a place for you know listening to the people ' already the

departure of the french french forces have been received with lot of excitement amongst you know nigerian uh you know uh populis so for for for me from my media the entire situation i think it's a big victory for niger and the french troops would have lent a couple of lessons having engaged you know you know in security you countergency in the region it is up to niger itself. to develop you know a broader architecture to ensure that it is able to uh you know secure its borders. the french exit from niger still leaves hundreds of us military personnel and number of italian and german troops remaining in the country. now let's bring in mr. nueke: does the us plan to take the place of france in niger or in other words can we say that uh western imperialism will continue uh... being

present in niger, i do not think uh, the time is right to roll out the drum and begin to - you know uh dance about the street that africa has become uh... three uh, certainly not, because if we consider that um the us still has very, very vested interest in um niger, if we consider that the us deputy secretary of state for african affairs uh was in um in in africa recently, as matter of fact she attended the uh eco was some of the held in abuja in nigeria after which she used the opportunity to were visit niger, if we evaluate her activities and you know her pronouncements after that meeting, where it became clear that the us is now ready or indeed have recognized the um military junta,

of course they provided a proviso that as long as um they are ready to to the part of you democratic order that the us will continue to to walk with them in terms. of providing um you know a time table now, what is tells you is that the us interest there is very strong. france is also closing its embassy in niger indefinitely as tensions between the two countries escalate. the decision follows the expulsion of the french ambassador from the country. the masses in niger have come out strongly to support decisions taken by the transitional government to end negative french influence in the region. "you can see we've emptied out our kitchens, we've come here with pans and spoons and cooking pots, we're here to say no to imperialism, we were born to colonialism, we're tired of living the colonizers rule, and that's why we're here, we don't want

macaroni anymore or whatever his name is, i don't even care to know his name, we need another type of base here, for example, russia, may russia come here and support us, we need russia." "the presence of french diplomats in niger was no longer tenable as they were arrogant, beligent and refused to recognize the country's popular transitional government. mr. ahmed, this for you. now what's your opinion on the decision by france to temporarily close its embassy in near may? usually where there is a breakdown of diplomatic relationship between countries, it is under..." thangable that embassies will you close down, shut down, and you know the high commission or representatives or envoy of such countries will be declared as personal a meaning they are not the you know they are responsible for their own safety in that country, they are not seen as welcome

and therefore they are expected to return to their country, so it's understandable that the embass are shut, they are closed down until and unless both countries are able to sit down on the negotiation table and discuss common grounds for bilateral or mutual arrangements, but as it stands now, it is clear that niger stand against france is uh put in stone, it is fixed, it has expressed its disenchantment with france and france has to you know review is relationship with so it is totally understandable. thanks for that, mr. ahmed, now we take a short break before we continue our topic on how france has been humiliated in niger, france humiliated in

niger, as the us israel genocidal war in gaza enters its third month and the deathdul continues to rise, israel's economy. is also paying heavy price. the labor shortage in high-tech is especially worrying since that sector accounts for nearly 20% of israel's gross domestic product, gdp. 20% of the israeli workers are part of the reserve army and they are not functioning. in this edition of economic divide we have special guests alice rothchild, author of broken promises and broken dreams and member of the jewish voice for peace who says the bigger problem needs to be solved. so the root causes of this crisis are the ongoing occupation of the occupied territories and the siege of gaza.

welcome back, you're watching africa today. and this week we are talking about the humiliation of france in niger. the humiliating withdrawal of french troops from niger was the third time in less than 18 months that french troops were sent parking from a country in the sahel. they left mali and burkina faso due to popular demands by the masses. the people of mali for instance celebrated in the capital bamacko after the government ordered french troops out of the country. france. must leave mali, france is here to steal the resources of mali, france is here to colonize mali, leave the country

without delay. they've been here for 10 years and could not solve the problem. in our tradition, if there is a broom, it means we don't want anymore, we don't want anymore, the broom means that, that's why we put a stop to france. now this for mr. there, now will the domino effect of the egypt of french troops and mercenaries continue in other countries across africa? um, well, i do not know the extent to which domino effect, you know, is going to continue in the rest of africa, but from what we are seeing, it looks like africans are beginning, i mean they the common man in africa, i'm not talking of the leaders, be the political leader. that's all the military leaders i am talking of um the common man in africa on the streets of africa

that have been hit hard by the economic realities and are now you know against the wall, not knowing anywhere else to go, they have turned around and are beginning to fight back. the departure of french troops in niger marked an end to more than decade of french so-called anti-terrorism operations. in west africa sahil region, terrorism actually increased to meant the presence of french troops in the region. in fact, some citizens in the sahel region believe that france deliberately instigates insecurity to get the pretext of maintaining its troops in the region. french troops in the region have long been seen as facilitating the looting of sahel's mineral resources, particularly uranium and gold. now this question goes to mr. ahmed in lagos, now do you think... regional countries will manage the security situation after the withdrawal of french

troops? what is clear? what is evident is that the french intervention in the sah has failed, it has failed in terms of strategy, it has failed in terms of purpose, and it has failed in terms of getting the desired effects and that is why people, the citizens of this region are worried and concerned that the continued. sisters of french troop on their soil will continue to worsen the security situation in the region and that is why the departure of the french forces is a welcome development. don't forget that alliances have been forged with the the echoas itself is looking at uh more diplomatic approaches to see that uh the peace and security in this region is sustained and maintained regardless of the cool that might have happened you know. you know across the three uh countries, while

uranium from niger lights up europe, these west african country has one of the lowest electrification rates in sub saharan africa. after the coup, the authorities in niger announced that they will freeze uranium exports to france. now this was in response to popular demands by the masses. we have uranium, we have diamonds, we have gold, we have oil and we live like slaves. why should we until when? we can't accept it. the french base in niger must leave. we don't need the french to keep us safe. civil organizations that were instrumental in pushing for the withdrawal of french occupation forces in niger are now taking on france's economic interests. they want the mining permits for uranium extraction to be cancelled. there is mounting pressure for the eventual ejection of french companies mining uranium in niger due to their exploitative activities. what should happen and what reasonable people

should uh you know uh support is a situation where the contrast the mining contrast of those french companies are reviewed that they are made fair such that all the goodies are not cutter the way to france but that there is level level playing field. for indigenous countries, but also for french companies as well. i believe that the space is large enough to contain both french mining companies and indigenous mining companies, however, it shouldn't be as it is now, where basically the french companies get away with just about anything, leaving the indigenous companies high and dry, the contract should be renegotiated and there should be enough space for everybody to where operate, the

recent formation of the alliance of sahel states bringing together mali. nigerian burkina fasso is further proof of the consolidation of anti-french sentiments in the region. now mr. ahmed, you have the last word today. uh, can we say that the events in niger will mark the end of french neocolonialism in this country or is this european country uh planning a comeback through the back door? there is a chance that considering how many years of postconial and new-colonial strategies. that france and other western nations are deployed in the region, there is a chance that they will they will use other windows to assess their control over the regions, it's now up to the juntter or governments of various countries to ensure that whatever relationship they hold with french uh is mutual, it's such that

bilateral is you know beneficial for both side, so what i can read: in all of this is that while the french forces have departed you know in terms of growing of their military engagements, there's a chance that they will use other means, other approaches to continue to hold to these countries, unless and until you have government of people that are willing to you muser out plans and ideas and ideals to reset their countries on the part of of you know uh on the path that leads to better nation, then french, the french may continue to have stronghold on the continent. well, there you have it, african nations need to remain vigilant because even after the withdrawal of french troops from niger and other sahel states, these neocolonial power is still

intent on meddling and looting the continent's natural resources. welcome to our africa rising section. that focuses on interesting events in africa from innovations, achievements in science and technology to arts and culture. now amid the us israeli genocide on palestinians in gaza, millions of people worldwide have come out to express solidarity with oppressed palestinians. these acts of solidarity are in different formats such as demonstrations, boycott campaigns, vigils, arts and music. an

african musician from eritrea has joined the palestine solidarity campaign. through his music, he's lane tadesse, the singer of palestine, says no more, we have contacted mr. tadese to talk about his music, thanks for your time today, thank you so much, i appreciate the invitation, um, just want to say thank you, now uh, first can you tell us what motivated you to compose this song, it's it's a long, it's a very long story and i being me, being that i am from that type of situation like where i come from in eritrea, and eritrea has been through lot, so for me to be able to connect to what's going on in the region, especially to the palestinian, people, i since the 1920s, i mean you can go

on for decades and decades and silence that's been you know taken by the international community during those times because there wasn't any uh media that was giving the opportunity to show what was going on and for it to take place now in this day and age in 2023 it's it's mind boggling you know and it doesn't you know for me it's like no-brainer i have to speak up i have to you know get involved. and what's going on in the region, especially to the palestinian people, they are the the people that's been oppressed, that's been just taking away everything, they want, it's basically they just... want to take everything away from them, their identity, so that alone, it bothers me, even more than anything in this world, for someone

to really try to extinct and take away your identity, your your true identity, who you are and where where you come from, and the originals, the originals that were there, it's like history repeating itself, but in real time now, so it's just, i mean, i, i, i, the only thing i can do is provide my art, artistry, provide my, the music and the content to really bring awareness to the rest the world, i'm sure there's a lot of artists doing the same thing, and i applaud them, this is the time for everyone to come together and really rally behind the people of palestine. that's one of the main thing, just me being from that region, eritrea was under occupation, under oppression, now the same things been happening, like literally

not too far from us, so palestine is not far from where i come from, even though i'm here in the us, i feel the pain, i feel the agony, i feel the stress, i feel just the distrat, the chaos, it's not fair, so we have to speak up. an interesting insight indeed. now mr. tadese, how can the language of art be utilized effectively to expose the israeli apartide regime and its criminal acts? well, i mean, as you can see right now, israeli regime is is purely naked of what they're doing, they're being exposed through social media, through through the lens of everyone's cameras. because we are in the in in the age of anyone can record anything, they're they're so naked, yet they still think they are innocent, they still think they are

fighting, they're using a pretense of fighting a terrorist group, no that has nothing to do with the terrorist group, it has everything to do with occupation, it has everything to do with settlement, so all these things are being exposed, so they're naked, musicians are exposing them, showing in real time what they're doing, they're not defending themselves, that is, that's not what you call defense, that's called, that's what you call genocide, yeah, ethnic cleansing, that's what you, that's what it is, we're taking, we're seeing it in real time, no doubt everyone is seeing what is happening in palestine, now mr. tadese, our last question, what role can artists across the world play regardless? their color or language in confronting the israeli genocidal war against palestinians? um, the main mission of artists across the world is

basically when when you see something that i've just been talking about, this type of event, it brings people together, and when when artists come together, the ones that are conscious, the one that the ones that are you know that... understand that what is taking place is something that's that they don't stand for, and music really is the weapon that can really galvanize and bring people together, because you're you're conveying the message, you're conveying, you're conveying the feeling, the pain, the hurt that you feel, so you have to express it with music, people would like, it's like a soothing, pain soothing medication, music. is a medication, but also can be used as a weapon to bring awareness to the world, so it's bringing a lot of musicians together, it's bringing a lot of people, people from all over the world

are are really into this, what's what's really taking place in palestine? we we're only focused on palestine, i don't even want to mention their name, the the geneciters, so they're losing, they're losing in so many different ways because of how... artists, musicians are coming together, when people come together, the enemy will disappear. well, indeed, the enemy will be vanquished and the oppressed will be victorious. i like to thank client desse anderian musician and composer of the song, palestine says no more. now that's it for this week's edition of africa today, and we are signing off by inviting you to watch parts of these resistance song. and mother cry till see a child die, never seen a child cry. until i

see his mother die, don't you see what you've done, you've taken her only son, it's too late, we know your game, you suck the blood for my vein, children will never forget, atrocities and pain i can't you hear them crying, we must wipe away the st and i said the world is with you, yes we are with you.

some 20 million, that's the estimated number of followers of the islamic movements in nigeria. so join me as i talked to the founder and the leader of this movement, sheikh ebrahim zakzaki. if there have been no... primer republic of iraq, those resistance in palestine will not have been able to do what they are doing, but we'll discuss the message that led to its growth and what it has in common with the palestinian resistance, so make sure you join us right here on hidden files at press tv.

you press of your headlines and no respite for the palestinians of gaza, us israeli genocidal war rages on the first day of the new year. the hammost military wing clashes with invading israeli troops in gaza city, killing 15 of them, and iran deploys one of its naval destroyers to the red sea a day after the us so-called task force in the region attacks yamini boats.