The coup in Niger will only embolden extremists, says a former jihadi fighter

By SAM MEDNICK
Associated Press

NIAMEY, Niger (AP) — A former jihadi fighter says the coup in Niger could boost the ability of Islamic extremists to recruit in the country, potentially increasing violence and further threatening the stability of Africa’s Sahel region. Niger’s coup leaders who ousted the country’s president last week have joined counterparts in neighboring Mali and Burkina Faso in arguing that a military government can better secure the country from violence by Islamic militants. However, Boubacar Moussa, who said he is a former member of the al-Qaida-linked JNIM group and has operated in Mali, said the coup could make it more difficult to improve the deteriorating security situation in Niger.