Violent protests in Niger over Charlie Hebdo cartoons

In another round of protest, at least 5 people lost their lives in Niger, as angry protestors demonstrated ferocious protests in the country against the cartoons of prophet Muhammad in the French satirical weekly Charlie Hebdo. The demonstration that erupted outside Niamey’s mosque spread in the other parts of the country.

As the police intervened, trying to stop the protestors, brutal clashes broke between the two. A police station and two police vans were vandalized by the protestors. Protestors also burnt churches and looted shops. All of this is said to have erupted after the local authorities banned a meeting called by the Islamic leaders.

Photo: The Associated Press

The protestors in the capital Niamey, burned down at least 6 churches, and four out of the five deceased were killed inside the attacked churches. The French cultural centre in the country also came under an attack.

Reuters quoted Amadou Abdoul Ouahab, who took part in the demonstration, as saying, “They offended our Prophet Mohammad, that’s what we didn’t like.”

Maximum population of Niger is Muslim, though the government has a secular stance. Niger’s President Mahamadou Issoufou condemned the incident and called for calm and peace. In a televised statement the President said, “Those who pillage religious sites and profane them, those who persecute and kill their Christian compatriots or foreigners who live on our soil, have understood nothing of Islam.”

Photo: The Associated Press

France’s Foreign Minister Laurent Fabius has also condemned the incident.

Previously too, there had been protests in the country against the cartoons in Charlie Hebdo.

Charlie Hebdo, the French satirical weekly, had come under an attack a fortnight ago by two Islamic terrorists. 12, including the newspaper’s editor-in-chief and some cartoonists were killed in the attack, and later the attackers too, were killed in an operation by French security officials.

Even other Muslim countries like Pakistan and Yemen have seen protest march against the cartoons of prophet Muhammad in Charlie Hebdo.

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About Suyash Karangutkar

Suyash Karangutkar is a young, dedicated and an enthusiastic journalist who has a deep interest in National and International Affairs. He is an ardent political spectator who finds politics fascinating. At Spectralhues, he heads the Mumbai team and covers National Affairs & Politics. He also occasionally writes columns for Spectralhues. He can be followed on Twitter @columnistsuyash