The first evacuation flight carrying 262 French and European nationals from Niger arrived in Paris on Wednesday, as reported by the news agency AFP. This development comes approximately a week after the Niger coup and an attack on the French Embassy. Neighbouring countries Mali and Burkina Faso have issued a warning, stating that any outside intervention aimed at restoring the ousted government of Niger would be seen as a declaration of war.
French Foreign Minister Catherine Colonna, while speaking to LCI TV, explained the reason for the evacuation, saying, “Considering the ongoing coup in Niger and the fact that the situation continues to be worrying, we decided to ensure that French citizens who wish to leave Niger can do so.”
VIDEO: First evacuation flight from Niger lands in France.
The first of three planes carrying mostly French and other European citizens evacuated from Niger landed in Paris early Wednesday, a week since a coup toppled one of the last pro-Western leaders in the Sahel region pic.twitter.com/9sLpaGppT0
— AFP News Agency (@AFP) August 2, 2023
Earlier, the military leaders of Niger had warned against any armed intervention in the country, as West African leaders of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) were about to hold an emergency summit in Nigeria’s capital on Sunday to discuss further actions to pressure the army into restoring constitutional order after last week’s coup, as reported by the news agency Reuters. However, despite the warning, a group of West African nations imposed sanctions and threatened the use of force against Niger on Monday.
The recent coup took place last Wednesday when a military Junta overthrew Niger’s democratically elected government, led by President Mohamed Bazoum. This marked the seventh military takeover in less than three years in West and Central Africa, according to the news agency Reuters.
The situation has sent shockwaves across West Africa’s Sahel region, one of the poorest and most unstable areas in the world, as Niger was considered the West’s most stable ally in the fight against a rapidly growing Islamist insurgency.
In response to the escalating conflict, Spain has announced its preparations to evacuate more than 70 citizens via aircraft, and Italy has also planned a repatriation flight. Germany has encouraged its citizens to join the French evacuation flights.
Recent coups in the region have been accompanied by a wave of criticism aimed at the nation’s former colonial power, France, leading to French troops being expelled from Mali and Burkina Faso. Notably, Niger is where many of those soldiers are currently stationed.
Apart from France, the US, Germany, and Italy also have their troops stationed in Niger for counter-insurgency and training missions. As of now, there have been no announcements regarding the evacuation of these troops.
Niger’s new military leaders have taken actions such as arresting several senior politicians and issuing warnings against any foreign attempts to extract President Mohamed Bazoum, who remains confined within his palace, as reported by Reuters.
