After a presidential coup threw the West African nation into a political crisis that polarised its neighbours, France is getting ready to remove its citizens from Niger.
The “situation in Niamey,” when pro-military supporters gathered in front of the French Embassy in the Nigerien capital to protest against the region’s post-colonial influence, prompted the French Foreign Ministry to announce that it will expel French and European nationals on Tuesday.
According to a statement from the French embassy to French people in Niger received by CNN, France will plan the air evacuation of its citizens from Niamey in conjunction with Nigerien authorities.
The operation, which would take advantage of Niamey’s relative calm, will start very soon and end fast, according to the message.
French nationals who wanted to be evacuated were told to carry food and water with them while they waited before boarding.
After other West African leaders slapped financial and travel sanctions against the coup plotters, Burkina Faso and Mali declared in a joint statement that any military intervention against Niger would be deemed war on them.
The two nations stated in a joint statement on Monday that “all military intervention against Niger will be considered equivalent to a declaration of war against Burkina Faso and Mali.”
Countries in the Sahel area, where the danger of militant extremism has destabilised local governments and caused turbulence in recent years, reacted differently to the sudden removal of President Mohamed Bazoum on Wednesday.
The military junta was given one week to release and reinstall Bazoum after the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) issued a stern warning against it on Sunday. They also warned that they did not rule out the “use of force” if their demands were not satisfied.
For the military officials implicated in the coup attempt, their families, and the citizens who agree to participate in any institutions or governments established by the officials, West African leaders imposed a travel ban and asset freeze.
Following the coup, financial help to Niger was also halted by France and the European Union.
Mali and Burkina Faso declared their support for the Nigerien government and stated they would not take part in any ECOWAS sanctions against the country, calling them “illegal, illegitimate, and inhuman.”
On Monday, Guinea declared its support for Niger and stated it would not join any actions taken against Niger.
In a statement, the Guinean presidency commended the Nigerien people and warned that “illegitimate and inhumane” sanctions would cause ECOWAS to break up. It continued to express concern that a military invasion would cause a humanitarian catastrophe “that could reach far beyond Niger’s borders.”