2023-08-01 08:47:20
France has decided to evacuate its nationals from Niger on Tuesday, announced the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, following the putsch which overthrew the government.
“Faced with the deterioration of the security situation in Niger, and taking advantage of the relative calm in Niamey, an evacuation operation by air is being prepared from Niamey“, wrote this Tuesday the French Embassy to the French in Niger, which was confirmed by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Paris.
Between 500 and 600 French nationals are currently present in Niger, according to Paris.
This evacuation “will take place very soon and over a very short period of time”, underlined the embassy, specifying that it is the subject “of coordination with the Nigerien forces”.
Between 500 and 600 French nationals are currently present in Nigeraccording to Paris.
France accused of wanting to “intervene militarily”
France, a former colonial power in the region and unfailing support of President Bazoum, appears to be the privileged target of the military who knocked him down. They accused her on Monday of wanting to “intervene militarily”, which the head of French diplomacy, Catherine Colonna, denied.
“It’s wrong,” she said on the BFMTV channel. “We must dismantle the intox and not fall into the trap”, she also declared regarding the anti-French slogans which notably flourished during a demonstration in front of the French embassy in Niamey on Sunday.
“Declaration of war”
The French President Emmanuel Macron threatened on Sunday to respond “immediately and intractably” to any attacke once morest nationals of France and its interests in Niger.
Monday evening, Ouagadougou and Bamako affirmed that any military intervention to restore Mohamed Bazoum would be considered “as a declaration of war” to their two countries and “would result in the withdrawal of Burkina Faso and Mali from ECOWAS (Economic Community of West African States), as well as the adoption of self-defense measures in support of the armed forces and the people of Niger”.
EU condemns arrest of several ministers
The European Union (EU) has condemned on Monday the arrest by the new Nigerien junta of ministers of the ousted government and demanded their immediate release. She warned that she would hold the putschists responsible “for any attack once morest civilians, and diplomatic personnel or installations” and “will quickly and resolutely support” the decisions of ECOWAS.
Niger is the third country in the region to suffer a coup since 2020 following Mali and Burkina Faso.
The Russia for his part, whose flag was waved by pro-junta demonstrators in Niamey, called “for a restoration of legality in the country as soon as possible” and “for restraint”.
Niger is one of the poorest countries in the world, despite its uranium resources. Undermined by attacks from groups linked to the Islamic State and Al-Qaeda, it is the third country in the region to suffer a coup since 2020 following Mali and Burkina Faso.
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