Ibrahim Mahamane, who heads Niger’s cultural delegation to the Games, said the putsch had thrown the team into disarray. Some participants had planned to arrive in Kinshasa on the day of the coup, or shortly afterwards. “Due to certain circumstances prevailing in the country, the entire delegation was unable to travel, and some remained in Niger,” he said. With one of the largest teams in the Games, the 100-strong Nigerien delegation proudly waved flags during the opening ceremony on Friday. ‘We can overcome’Fears over safety, and standards of facilities have dogged the Games in Kinshasa, prompting some delegations to pull out or send reduced teams.

Source: The North Africa Journal July 31, 2023 07:40 UTC