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00:00In June, Nigerian rebels from the Patriotic Liberation Front claimed responsibility for
00:07the sabotage of a pipeline carrying the country's crude oil exports to Semeport in Benin.
00:14They are demanding the release of former President Mohamed Bazou.
00:18He was ousted last July, and militia groups that back him have recently ramped up attacks
00:23on the military and infrastructure.
00:26These are also feeling the pressure.
00:31In the days after the pipeline attack, we were scared.
00:34But now it's better, because the military authorities have taken different measures
00:38than what we're used to seeing.
00:41The sites are secured, and more troops are now deployed along the roads where the oil
00:45infrastructures are located.
00:48The damaged pipeline has since been fixed, but fears remain.
00:53Migrants have threatened to sabotage crucial highways linking a refinery in Zinder to an
00:58export station in Jaur.
01:01Most locals are worried that political disputes and a struggle for control of natural resources
01:06could trigger more violence.
01:09I am very unhappy about the pipeline sabotage, and I hope it will not happen again.
01:15We pray to God that there will be no more acts like this, because it hinders the country's
01:21development.
01:22Niger's fragile economy has also been undermined by a freeze in crude exports over a diplomatic
01:28stand-off with Benin.
01:30Niamey had plans to send 90,000 barrels a day through its neighbour and on to the international
01:36market.
01:37Currently, we are seeing rampant inflation, delays in the export of raw materials due
01:45to the closure of borders.
01:47We are also facing a liquidity crisis and a deterioration of the banking sector's portfolio,
01:53not only in Niger, but across all states in the Sahel.
01:56However, earlier this year, Niger's military junta secured a $400 million advance on its
02:07future oil earnings from the Chinese company that runs the oil transport pipeline.