France will give an “immediate response” in the event of attacks on its citizens in Niger, a statement from the Elysee Palace said.
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“Whoever attacks citizens, the army, diplomats and the interests of the country will receive an answer from France in an immediate and uncompromising manner. The President of the Republic will not tolerate any attacks against her and her interests,” the statement said.
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Earlier, the media reported that thousands of people in Niger took part in the action against France and the Economic Community of West African Countries (ECOWAS), as well as in support of the “National Council for the Defense of the Fatherland” formed by the coup participants. The action, among other things, took place at the French embassy in Niamey.
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It was noted that the protesters chanted slogans against France and ECOWAS.
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According to the French Foreign Ministry, there are currently about 600 French citizens in Niger.
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Earlier, the military of Niger, during a speech on national television, said that President Mohamed Bazum was removed, the borders were closed, and a curfew was announced. Before that, the military of the presidential guard blocked the presidential palace in the capital of the country, Niamey. Bazum’s office claimed that the army did not support the rebels, but later the command of the Armed Forces declared solidarity with them. The President is still held in residence. Bazum is fine and feels good, said Musa Faki Mahamat, Chairman of the African Union Commission. On Friday, the commander of the Presidential Guard, General Tchiani, appeared on Niger’s state TV as the head of the “National Council for the Defense of the Fatherland” formed by the coup participants.
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A former French colony, Niger remains one of the last Western allies in the Sahel. Paris has supplied the country with drones, fighter jets and deployed 1,500 troops there to fight terrorist groups operating on the border of Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger. The French military contingent was previously located in Mali and Burkina Faso, but French forces were expelled from the two countries after the coups d’état carried out in 2020 and 2022, respectively.
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In addition, the country has rich reserves of uranium, on which France is heavily dependent.
