Nigerien soldiers behind the ongoing coup d'etat have accused France of wanting to 'intervene militarily' to restore ousted President Mohamed Bazoum to power, according to a statement read out on national television on Monday.
“In line with its policy of seeking ways and means of intervening militarily in Niger, France, with the complicity of certain Nigeriens, held a meeting at the headquarters of the Niger National Guard to obtain the necessary political and military authorisations,” the statement said.
In another statement, the putschists accused "the security services" of a "Western chancellery," without specifying which, of firing tear gas at demonstrators supporting the junta in Niamey on Sunday, resulting in "six people being injured and treated in hospitals" in the capital.
France, a former colonial power in the region and staunch supporter of the ousted President Bazoum, has made Niger a key strategic partner with some 1,500 French troops present in the country to fight jihadism-inspired insurgency groups.
A Strategic partner for France
French President Emmanuel Macron has threatened on Sunday to retaliate "immediately and intractably" against any attack on its "nationals and interests" in Niger, after pro-coup demonstrators targeted the country's embassy in Niamey. Some tried to enter, only to be dispersed by tear gas.
On Tuesday, France announced it was evacuating its nationals from Niger, "in view of the situation in Niamey," the Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced in a statement.
The Quai d'Orsay justifies the decision by the "violence that took place against our embassy the day before yesterday and the closure of airspace which leaves our compatriots with no possibility of leaving the country by their own means."
Rebel soldiers announce coup on national TV, with leader Amadou Abdramane in blue. Credit: Video screenshot
On Sunday, the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) countries gave the military junta in Niger a one-week ultimatum for a "full return to constitutional order," saying they would not rule out "recourse to force" if this did not happen. France welcomed "the decisions taken by the heads of state" of ECOWAS meeting in Abuja.
'An end to the regime'
Military personnel claimed on Wednesday evening to have overthrown the regime of Nigerien President Mohamed Bazoum, in a statement read out by one of them on national television in Niamey, on behalf of a National Council for the Safeguard of the Homeland (CNSP). “We, the defence and security forces, meeting within the CNSP, have decided to put an end to the regime you know," that of President Bazoum, declared Colonel Major Amadou Abdramane, flanked by nine other uniformed soldiers.
"This follows the continuing deterioration in the security situation and poor economic and social governance," he added.
This statement by the military came at the end of a day of tension in Niamey, marked by what the regime called "a mood swing" by the presidential guard, who have been holding President Bazoum in his official residence since Wednesday morning. Talks between the two parties in an attempt to find a solution, without it being known what the demands of the military, have failed.
