ニジェール：前大統領派によるパイプライン攻撃

　ニジェールはクーデターで政権奪取、以後は経済制裁を受ける。さて前大統領を支持する勢力は反政府闘争の団体を結成、ニジェールが外貨を得るに重要なパイプラインを破壊する挙に出た模様。

BBC Niger confirms anti-junta rebels behind oil attack　2 days ago
By Lucy Fleming in London & Tchima Illa Issoufou in Niamey

　経済制裁で経済封鎖―ではあるのだが、隣国ベニンへの原油輸出はその限りにあらず、両国の経済に重要な位置を占めるとのこと。

「Niger’s junta has confirmed that rebels damaged an oil pipeline carrying crude oil to neighbouring Benin.

The Patriotic Liberation Front, which is fighting for the release of former president Mohamed Bazoum, who was overthrown in a coup last July, said it was behind the attack earlier this week.

It has threatened to target oil installations and called on the Chinese companies that run the pipeline to end their support for the military regime.

It is the latest setback to hit the newly opened 2,000km (1,243-mile) pipeline as relations between Niger and Benin continue to sour.」

　なおパイプラインの運営には中国企業が関わっているそうで、反政府勢力はこれも非難する。軍事政権を支持してなんとする、というわけだ。

「The pipeline was formally launched at the end of last year and links Niger's Agadem oilfield to Benin’s coast - and is set to be vital to both economies.」

「In February, the regional bloc Ecowas agreed to lift them and borders were allowed to be reopened.

Benin’s economy had also been hit by trade block and was anxious for imports and exports to resume.」

　さてねえ、資源を無駄に垂れ流すのは好ましくないが、といってほいほいクーデター政権を認めるのもどうかなあと思われ、意見提出にはなかなか難。