France is making preparations to evacuate French and European nationals from Niger following a military coup and the backing of three other West African nations ruled by mutinous soldiers. The decision to evacuate is due to recent violence targeting the French Embassy in the capital, Niamey, as well as the closure of Niger’s airspace. The French Foreign Ministry stated that these factors are preventing citizens from leaving the country on their own. The evacuation will begin for those who wish to leave and will be conducted via airlift. French nationals are advised to only carry a small bag and to bring essential items such as water, food, phones, and batteries.
The coup against Niger’s democratically elected president, Mohamed Bazoum, has sparked a deepening crisis. The West African regional body, ECOWAS, has imposed travel and economic sanctions on Niger and threatened to use force if Bazoum is not reinstated within a week. The military governments of Mali and Burkina Faso have also voiced their support for the coup and warned that any military intervention against Niger would be considered a declaration of war.
Protesters in Niamey have burned down the French Embassy and waved Russian flags, with some regarding Russia as a symbol of their anti-Western sentiments. Analysts believe that Niger may follow in the footsteps of Mali and Burkina Faso, where Russian flags were also waved after their respective coups.
The United States and France have provided military and humanitarian aid to Niger in recent years, as the country has been seen as a partner against extremism in the region. The US has warned that aid may be cut if the coup is successful.
Niger is heavily reliant on the international community for support, and the sanctions imposed by ECOWAS could have disastrous consequences for the country and its people. The prime minister of Niger has called for a solution to avoid the sanctions, as the country depends on international assistance.
ECOWAS has a history of intervening in conflicts in West Africa to protect democracies against the threat of coups. However, the success of these interventions has been mixed. Currently, four nations in the region are governed by military governments.
Overall, the situation in Niger remains uncertain, with the possibility of violence and the potential impact of sanctions on the country’s already vulnerable population. The international community is closely monitoring the developments and working to find a resolution to the crisis.
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