France on Sunday warned it would retaliate if its citizens were attacked in Niger, after protesters tried to enter its embassy in the capital, Niamey.
“Should anyone attack French nationals, the army, diplomats or French interests, they will see France respond in an immediate and intractable manner,” the French president’s office said, adding that French President Emmanuel Macron “will not tolerate any attack against France and its interests”.
“France also supports all regional initiatives” aimed at “restoring constitutional order” and the return of Niger President Mohamed Bazoum, Macron’s office said, as the West African regional bloc ECOWAS was readying to discuss the Niger coup during a summit in Nigeria.
Mutinous soldiers in Niger announced late on July 26 that they had removed President Mohamed Bazoum from power, closed the country’s borders, and suspended the Constitution. They set up the National Council for the Safeguard of the Homeland, which assumed all powers of government. In a statement broadcast on national television, the mutineers promised to guarantee the personal safety of former government officials.
The Niger military claims it has ousted President Mohamed Bazoum from power. Bazoum, who has been in charge for the past two years after Niger had its first democratic transfer of power since its independence from France in 1960, promised to protect the country’s “hard-won gains” earlier on Thursday.
But days after seizing power, General Abdourahamane Tchiani who led the coup, declared himself leader, alienating the AU, EU, US, France, and other world powers.
Mimi Mefo Info
