President Mahamadou Issoufou

President Issoufou Mahamadou  of Niger on Tuesday told residents of southeast Diffa region who have borne the brunt of persistent attacks by Boko Haram terrorist group that the insurgents will eventually be defeated.

President Mahamadou who addressed the nation late Tuesday ahead of today’s celebration of 56 years of independence from former colonial France said the multinational force put in place by neighboring countries would defeat the Islamic terrorists.

Mahamadou, who won a second five-year term in March elections however called for support of the citizens towards the defeat of the terror sect.

He added that despite security and climate challenges, Niger has in the past five years recorded progress in reduction of its poverty rate, and has had an average economic growth rate of 6 percent.

He added that the country also improved ranking with Transparency International moving from 134 to 99.