By: Kayhan Int’l Staff Writer

Most world countries are divided by imaginary lines on the political maps by the colonial powers, including several West African states, especially Niger and Nigeria, which the US and France are now plotting to embroil in an unwarranted war whose casualties will be the Muslim people sharing the same ethnicity and language, such as Hausa, in order to tighten the Paris-Washington hold on the rich natural resources of the region, particularly uranium, gold, and petroleum. This was the gist of the latest message released by Nigeria’s leading Islamic scholar, Sheikh Ibrahim az-Zakzaky, in warning to war designs by certain neighbouring countries following the recent ouster in Niamey of a Western-sponsored president whom the overwhelming majority of the people of Niger do not want to be reinstalled.
“It is clear that this is not our war; it is a war [waged by] the US and France,” said the prominent scholar on Saturday while addressing Islamic Seminary students in Abuja.
He pointed out that although Niger has closed its airspace, French aircraft still pass through, noting that they also maintain terrorist camps across the country that are the source of attacks waged by the Boko Haram Daesh-linked terrorists.
Sheikh Zakzaky said the terrorists on behalf of the western powers launch attacks and steal mineral resources (gold and uranium) to be subsequently shared by the stakeholders.
He also expressed concerns about the potential employment of such terrorists to launch assaults on Nigeria and make it look like the new rulers in Niger are responsible.
This means, any military action on the borders of the two countries will be the handiwork of France and the US – not Nigeria, and not Niger.
The IMN Leader, who is known for his foresight, said the two colonialist powers could trigger a ‘tribal’ conflict within Niger, just like they have already done in Sudan, among various ethnic groups there.
On July 26, a military coup in Niamey supported by the people, toppled President Mohamed Bazoum who is in detention since then and is facing trial for committing treason against Niger.
A group of pro-western West African states, known as ECOWAS, have hinted at military intervention in Niger to try to reinstall Bazoum, while Mali and Burkina Faso which also share borders with Niger, have denounced foreign intervention and announced support for the new rulers in Niamey.
The two countries reportedly dispatched warplanes Friday to Niger in a show of solidarity against possible military intervention by the ECOWAS and its NATO backer, the US and France.
Meanwhile, the people of Niger continue to hold rallies in various cities in support of the military rulers and their promise to soon facilitate the forming of an elected civilian government.
In such a situation any war launched by any neighbouring state on Niger will be disastrous for the whole of West African and will clearly be seen as a Paris-Washington bid to pit the mostly Muslim people against each other, as part of the plot to steal the rich natural resources of the region.