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Young people gather to register to volunteer to fight for the country as part of a volunteer initiative, in Niamey, Niger, Saturday, Aug. 19,
Thousands of people lined up outside the main stadium in Niamey on Saturday (Aug. 19) responding to the call for civilian auxiliaries in support of the armed forces.
The event organiser said the junta was not involved in this initiative, although it was aware of it. Regional countries have threatened the Nigerien junta of a possible military intervention.
āI want to be a soldier for the love of my country. Whatās more, Niger is our country. I want to commit myself to Niger. Long live Niger!ā Mamadou exclaimed.
āIāve heard there that they need 5,000 or 10,000 volunteer soldiers. Thatās why I came here,ā Abdoulaye who is a footballer said.
Some parents brought their children to sign up, others said theyād been waiting since 3 a.m to answer a call from several organisations Young people chanted in favour of the junta and against ECOWAS and the countryās former colonial ruler France.
The initiative, spearheaded by a group of locals in Niamey, aims to recruit tens of thousands of volunteers from across the country to register for the Volunteers for the Defense of Niger.
The group would fight, assist with medical care, and provide technical and engineering logistics among other functions, in case the junta needs help according to Amsarou Bako, one of the founders, who spoke with The Associated Press Tuesday (Aug. 8).
āIām a military mother, weāre waiting for you, young volunteers. From now until tomorrow, thatās what I had to say, wa-Allah. Weāre waiting for you, I hope youāll get us out of all these difficulties,ā an activist who was not named told cheerign crowds.
Peoplesmind
