2023-09-03 16:29:14
Catherine Colonna, at the Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs, in Paris, September 1, 2023. LEA CRESPI FOR “THE WORLD”
Catherine Colonna has been Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs since May 2022. She defends Paris’ positions in the face of the coups d’etat that took place in Niger and Gabon this summer, often to the detriment of French interests, and calls for patience in the subject of the Ukrainian counter-offensive against Russia.
Isn’t France at an impasse in Niger?
France’s policy is simple. On the one hand, we condemn any seizure of power by putschists, especially in a country like Niger where democratic institutions were functioning. On the other hand, we support the efforts of the countries of the region to achieve a return to constitutional order. Heads of State of the Economic Community of West African States [Cedeao] formulated a number of demands and decided on economic and financial sanctions, the closing of borders, and the possible use of a regional force if the diplomatic efforts under way were not crowned with success. The only authorities in Niger that we recognize, like the entire international community, are President Mohamed Bazoum and his government. Our position is in no way unique from this point of view.
Isn’t it risky to keep the French ambassador in Niamey at all costs?
He is our representative to the legitimate authorities of Niger, accredited as such, and we do not have to comply with the injunctions of a minister who has no legitimacy, neither for the countries of the sub-region, nor for the African Union, nor for the United Nations, nor for France. This is what explains the maintenance of our ambassador. We ensure that he can safely face the pressures of the putschists.
In such a strong climate of distrust, is it possible to maintain the French troops, whose departure the junta demands?
It is important to remember that these troops are there at the request of the authorities of Niger, to support them in the fight against armed terrorist groups, and to carry out training activities. Today, this mission can no longer be ensured, since we no longer have, de facto, operations carried out jointly with the Nigerien armed forces.
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After Mali, do you fear the intrusion into Niger of Wagner’s Russian mercenaries?
The main author of the coup [le général Tchiani] first seems to have acted for himself and not at the instigation of Wagner or Russia. But that Russia, there as elsewhere, saw in it a possible gain of opportunity, I believe is quite clear. I’m not convinced that everyone in the country sleeps with a brand new Russian flag under their pillow and pulls it out at the first opportunity. There is a populist temptation to attack France and want to rally against it. It is the essence of populism to find a scapegoat and to go and wave this kind of ideological ready-to-wear.
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