First evacuation flight from Niger arrived in Paris on Wednesday morning, following recent week’s coup that toppled the country’s democratically elected president.
France, Italy and Spain have all announced evacuations from Niger for their citizens and other European citizens. The French Foreign Ministry cited recent violence against the French embassy in Niamey, the capital of Niger. Amid growing anti-French sentiment, protesters stormed the embassy on Sunday, chanting “Vive la Russie”, “Vive Poutine” and “Down with France”.
As the crisis worsened in the country, the West African regional bloc ECOWAS announced economic and travel sanctions against Niger on Sunday.
Niger coup: First evacuation flight lands at Paris airport https://t.co/vKIJI9Dftu #Niger #Africanews
— africanews 😷 (@africanews) August 2, 2023
Military leaders of member countries are also consulting on the deployment of armed forces in the country and have warned of possible use of force if the coup leaders refuse to reinstate President Mohamed Bazoum within a week.
However, the new administration in Niamey is supported by military juntas in Mali, Burkina Faso and Guinea. The governments of Burkina Faso and Mali said in a joint statement that “any military intervention against Niger would be tantamount to a declaration of war against Burkina Faso and Mali” and called for sanctions on Niger “unacceptable”.
