As the situation develops in post-coup Niger, a back and forth game of ‘ultimatums’ is taking place, and mostly the demands are getting ignored by the opposing parties.

The last consequential bit of news to come out of the conflict is that the Niger junta now is demanding a complete withdrawal of all French troops stationed in the country, reportedly 1,500 strong.

TASS reported:

“The National Council for the Safeguard of the Homeland, which was set up by Niger’s coup leaders, has demanded that France pull out its troops from the country by September 3 […]. A representative of the council reiterated that France was given 30 days to withdraw its armed forces from the country. That deadline expires on September 3.

There is growing discontent among Nigeriens with the presence of French troops in the country, the television channel said. According to Sky News Arabia, there are calls for the government to cut off food, power and water supply to the French base in the country’s capital Niamey in order to force the troops to leave Niger.”

This came right after reports that the coup leaders suspended all military treaties with France.

Sputnik reported:

“The Nigerien National Council for the Safeguard of the Homeland (CNSP) announced the annulment of all security and military agreements with France. […] In addition, Nigerien military leaders announced the lifting of the curfew imposed since July 27, following the coup in which President Bazoum was ousted and detained by his own guard.”

In another ultimatum, last week, the Foreign Ministry of Niger told French Ambassador Sylvain Itte to leave the country within 48 hours.

The decision to expel the ambassador was a response to actions taken by the French government that were ‘contrary to the interests of Niger’.

Paris acknowledged Niger’s request to ambassador, but replied that the rebels have no authority to make such decisions.

It stands to reason that the request for troop removal will go unheeded as well, which primes the situation for a military confrontation.

The Niger junta members, on their part, also ignored an ultimatum made by the countries from the regional bloc ECOWAS, demanding that they reinstate ousted President Bazoum.

“‘In the event, the authority demands are not met within one week. Take all measures necessary to restore constitutional ordering in the Republic of Niger. Such measures may include the use of force’, said Dr. Omar Alieu, President of ECOWAS.”

A latest ingredient in the present explosive mix in the Niger situation is the involvement of the EU:

Reuters reported:

“European Union foreign ministers meet in Spain on Thursday to discuss their response to last month’s coup in Niger – including possible sanctions – as they also consider news of military officers declaring they have seized power in Gabon.

The instability in the West and Central African countries will be a major theme of the informal gathering in the medieval city of Toledo, along with discussions on the war in Ukraine with Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba.”

Read more about Africa here:

Macron Depression: Globalist Leader Survives Many Crises, While French Influence Collapses in Africa – Snubbed at BRICS Meeting, He Is Object of Internet Rumor About an Affair With Canada’s Trudeau

The post A Game of Ultimatums: Niger Demands French Troops Leave Country by September 3 – Paris Has Already Refused To Withdraw Its Ambassador, as the European Union Weighs a Response appeared first on The Gateway Pundit.

Hawaii state Senator Gilbert Keith-Agaran has announced he will step down from office after facing several conflicts of interest questions.

In a senate press release,  Sen. Gilbert Keith-Agaran did not give a specific reason why he was deciding to step down. But he did write, “I believe that this decision best serves the interests of the Maui people especially given what they have gone through over the last three weeks, and what they continue to experience.”

Agaran has been facing ethical questions the last several days after his picture was spotted on a flyer that advertised a discussion with members from the law firm Takitani Agaran Jorgensen & Wildman where Keith-Aagaran serves as a partner and Morgan & Morgan “America’s largest injury law firm”.

Morgan & Morgan has already filed a lawsuit against Hawaiian Electric and Maui Electric Co. over the deadly Maui fires.

Civil Beat reported on Sunday just days before Keith-Agaran’s resignation that, “If push came to shove and he had to chose between his clients and his constituents, Keith-Agaran might choose his law practice over politics.”

Here’s the flyer that raised concerns:

State Sen. Gilbert Keith-Agaran is a partner in the law firm of partner at Takatani Agaran Jorgensen & Wildman that recently used his photo in a flyer to promote a community discussion in the aftermath of the Aug. 8 fires.

More: https://t.co/UIHULlnjxv

— Star-Advertiser (@StarAdvertiser) August 31, 2023

Per Hawaii News Now:

A Maui lawmaker announced Wednesday he’ll step down after raising eyebrows — and ethical questions — for his potential role as a lawyer for wildfire victims.

Sen. Gilbert Keith-Agaran said his final day would be Oct. 31.

He characterized his departure as a retirement, saying it’s been an “honor to represent my friends and family in my Central Maui communities in the State Senate and the State House.”

The post Maui Senator Will Resign from Office After Facing Conflict of Interest Questions appeared first on The Gateway Pundit.