The junta, that seized power through a coup d’état in the Republic of Niger last week, has accused the deposed government of authorising France to commence a military operation to free the ousted President, Mohamed Bazoum.
Gen Abdourahmane Tchiani, the head of the presidential guards’ unit, declared himself Niger’s new ruler on Friday. In response to this, the Economic Commission of West African States (ECOWAS) gave the junta a 7-day limit to step down from power and restore constitutional rule. The committee then said that they will “take all measures necessary to restore constitutional order” if its demands were not met, adding that “such measures may include the use of force.”
On Monday, Col Amadou Abdramane, one of the coup leaders, said on state television that Hassoumi Massoudou, the foreign minister of Bazoum, had signed a paper allowing the French to strike the presidential palace. However, no evidence was provided.
The junta vowed to defend Niger from any “aggression” by regional or Western powers, while accusing former colonial power, France, of planning military intervention. The junta also announced that it was suspending the export of uranium and gold to France with immediate effect, as Niger is the world’s seventh largest producer of Uranium.
While France did not confirm or deny the claim. In a recently released statement, the French foreign ministry said the only authority it recognised in Niger was President Bazoum’s.
On Sunday, protesters outside the French embassy in Niamey chanted “Long live Russia”, “Long live Putin” and “Down with France”, whilst setting fire to the walls of the embassy compound.
A statement from President Emmanuel Macron’s office then said France would not tolerate any attack on its interests in Niger, and would respond in an “immediate and intractable manner.”
Ozioma Samuel-Ugwuezi
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