Ifeanyi Ibe
Niger’s new military government on Monday accused former colonial ruler, France and some Nigeriens, of planning to “intervene militarily” to reinstate sacked President Mohamed Bazoum.
In a statement on national television, the junta said, “In its search for ways and means to intervene militarily in Niger, France with the complicity of some Nigeriens, held a meeting with the chief of staff of the Nigerien national guard to obtain the necessary political and military authorisation needed”.
In another statement, the putschists accused the security services of an unnamed Western embassy of firing teargas on pro-coup demonstrators in the capital Niamey on Sunday. Niger Coup: Thousands Protest Outside French Embassy In Solidarity For Military
It also said six people were hospitalised following the incident.
French President Emmanuel Macron had Sunday vowed “immediate” action if French citizens or interests were attacked in Niger after thousands of Nigeriens rallied outside the French embassy.
Anti-French sentiment runs high in some former African colonies as the continent becomes a renewed diplomatic battleground, with Russian and Chinese influence growing.
France has some 1,500 troops in the West African nation, which is one of its last allies in the Sahel region after French forces had to withdraw from neighbouring Mali earlier this year.
Following Mali and Burkina Faso, Niger has become the third country in the Sahel to be undermined by jihadist attacks linked to the Islamic State group and Al-Qaeda.
PBA reports that on Sunday, July 30, the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), under Nigeria’s leadership, slammed economic sanctions on the West African state. The regional body also hoped for a military response if a one-week ultimatum it gave for the reinstatement of Bazoum is not implemented. ECOWAS Gives Niger’s Military One-Week Ultimatum To Reinstate Bazoum
Additional reports from AFP
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