Niger: The new leadership of Niger has ended the country’s military cooperation with its former colonial ruler France, according to a spokesman for the junta that seized power last week.
France has more than 1,000 soldiers stationed in the Western African country who are tasked with fighting Islamist militias in the Sahel belt that stretches across the continent.
Following the confirmation on state TV on Thursday evening that the military ties had been revoked, the impact on the French presence in Niger initially remained unclear. The French Foreign Ministry said earlier that broadcasters France 24 and RFI had been suspended there.
The ministry said on Friday that the military cooperation was based on agreements reached with the legitimate Nigerien authorities - the only ones that France recognises.
Cooperation with France in the Sahel had had positive effects for Niger, according to the ministry. Moreover, elsewhere in the region,it noted that the withdrawal of international partners had led to an increase in violence.
In a separate announcement, Niger’s military authorities said they had withdrawn their ambassadors to France, the United States, Togo and Nigeria.
Officers of Niger’s presidential guard arrested the democratically elected president Mohammed Bazoum on July 26 and declared that he had been removed from power.
The commander of the elite unit, General Abdourahamane Tchiani ,subsequently appointed himself the new ruler. Shortly after Tchianicame to power, his camp suspended the constitution and dissolved all constitutional institutions.
France has been involved in the fight against insurgents in the region for years with its military missions. It already had to withdraw troops after the military coups in neighbouring Mali and Burkina Faso.
Niger was considered the West’s last ally in the region and there are concerns that Niamey will now pivot towards Russia.
Meanwhile, a mediation mission from the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) left Niamey on Friday without meeting Tchiani, French broadcaster RFI and other media reported.
ECOWAS had issued a seven-day ultimatum to the coup leaders last Sunday, calling on the new junta to reinstate Bazoum within a week.
Otherwise, the group would take measures that could include the use of force, it said. For several days, ECOWAS military chiefs have been discussing possible further action in Nigeria’s capital Abuja. — DPA
Oman Observer is now on the WhatsApp channel. Click here
