This morning, a queue of foreign nationals with suitcases in hand formed outside an airport in the nation’s capital as they awaited a third flight of evacuation.
The West African nation has been thrown into a political crisis a week after a military coup deposed and imprisoned Mohamed Bazoum, the first democratically elected president.
Fears that their inhabitants would become stranded prompted France, Italy, and Spain to declare evacuations for their populace.
Despite violent protests erupting in the last 48 hours, the UK and the US are both behind schedule in making such announcements.
To protest the former colonial power, supporters of the coup even tried to invade the French embassy on Sunday and burn it on fire.
Thousands of people were observed marching through Niamey, the nation’s capital, while singing the name of Vladimir Putin and brandishing Russian flags.
It happened when the paramilitary Wagner organisation, which already has mercenaries in Mali, offered to back the coup.
Currently, there are no commercial airline choices to depart because Niger’s borders are also closed.
The situation in the country is still ‘volatile,’ and numerous states have declared states of emergency, therefore the Foreign Office (FCDO) has warned against all travel there.
The FCDO stated, “We have been closely monitoring the situation in Niamey since July 26.”
“Protests can be violent, and the mood can shift suddenly and unexpectedly.” British nationals are advised to stay inside.
Those who plan to depart are urged to register with the FCDO as soon as possible and to keep up with travel safety recommendations.
On two flights on Tuesday, French military in Niamey evacuated hundreds of people, the majority of whom were citizens of France.
Meanwhile, the Italian defence minister confirmed that an Italian military plane carrying 99 people, including 21 Americans and citizens of other nations, made an early morning landing in Rome.
After a third flight was cancelled the previous evening, hundreds of people gathered outside the terminal of the city’s airport before daylight in an attempt to depart.
While parents sought to protect their children from what was occurring, some people tried to sleep on the floor, while others played video games or spoke on the phone with relatives who were eager to hear updates.
A passenger who asked to remain anonymous for security concerns added, “I haven’t told them very much, just that they’re going home.”
In a statement on Sunday, the West African regional group (ECOWAS) announced travel and economic restrictions against Niger, warning that if the coup leaders do not restore Mr. Bazoum within a week, force may be used.
Burkina Faso and Mali emphasised on Monday that any military action against Niger would be regarded an act of war against them.
A joint statement declared, “All military intervention against Niger will be regarded as a declaration of war against Burkina Faso and Mali.”
Before the violent coup, the nation was seen as one of the remaining democracies in the region and a cooperating partner with whom Western nations might fight the extremist bloodshed that has decimated the region.
Millions of dollars have been invested in the nation by the US, France, and other European nations as military aid and assistance.
The special representative for West Africa and the Sahel stated that initiatives other than the threat of force are being made to restore democracy during a virtual United Nations meeting on Tuesday night.
According to Leonardo Santos Simao, “One week can be more than enough if everyone talks in good faith and wants to prevent bloodshed.”
However, “different member states are preparing themselves to use force if necessary,” he continued.