France has made preparations to evacuate French and European nationals from Niger following a military coup that received support from three other West African nations ruled by mutinous soldiers. The French Foreign Ministry cited recent violence targeting the French Embassy in Niamey as one of the reasons for the decision. Due to the closure of Niger’s airspace, French and European citizens are unable to leave the country by their own means. The evacuation comes amidst a deepening crisis sparked by the coup against Niger’s democratically elected president. The West African regional body, ECOWAS, has announced travel and economic sanctions against Niger and has threatened to use force if the coup leaders do not reinstate the president within one week. Mali and Burkina Faso have expressed their support for Niger’s junta and denounced the ECOWAS sanctions. Guinea, another country under military rule, has also issued a statement in support of Niger’s junta. In the event that ECOWAS uses force, it could trigger violence between civilians supporting and opposing the coup. The United States and France have sent troops and aid to Niger in recent years, and the US has stated that aid to the country will be reevaluated depending on the outcome of the coup. ECOWAS has a history of intervening in conflicts in the region, such as in Liberia and Gambia. The evacuation of French and European citizens from Niger will be conducted via airlift, with individuals asked to carry minimal belongings and essential supplies.
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