2023-07-31 22:32:19
A demonstration in Niger, in Niamey, on July 30, 2023. SAM MEDNICK / AP
A military intervention in Niger to restore the elected president Mohamed Bazoum, overthrown by a putsch, would be considered “a declaration of war against Burkina Faso and Mali”said Monday, July 31 a joint statement from the governments of Ouagadougou and Bamako.
The two governments, themselves resulting from coups d’etat, “warn that any military intervention against Niger would amount to a declaration of war against Burkina Faso and Mali”the day after a threat of use of ” strength “ by West African leaders meeting in Abuja, the capital of Nigeria.
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France, a former colonial power in Niger and unfailing support of President Bazoum, appears to be the privileged target of the soldiers who took power on July 26. “In its line of action, going in the direction of finding ways and means to intervene militarily in Niger, France, with the complicity of certain Nigeriens, held a meeting at the headquarters of the National Guard of Niger , to obtain the necessary political and military authorizations” in order to restore Mr. Bazoum, said a statement from the junta on Monday.
Denial of Paris
French President Emmanuel Macron threatened on Sunday to retaliate “immediately and intractably” to any attack against nationals of France and its interests in Niger, while the Quai d’Orsay recalled on Sunday and Monday “the obligations incumbent on all with regard to the protection of diplomatic premises and personnel, as well as foreign residents”.
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The Nigerien soldiers who overthrew the elected president, Mohamed Bazoum, have accused France of “wanting to intervene militarily”. ” It’s wrong “answered the French Minister of Foreign Affairs, Catherine Colonna, sur BFM-TV. « France’s only priority is the security of its nationals. (…) The measures we are taking are only measures intended to ensure the safety of our compatriots. »
Burkina Faso’s Head of State, Ibrahim Traore, shakes hands with Russian President Vladimir Putin, in Saint Petersburg, July 29, 2023. ALEXEY DANICHEV / AFP
The day after a demonstration of support for the junta in front of the French embassy, Ms. Colonna also denied “clearly and firmly” the allegations of certain Nigerien officials who mentioned to the press the French firing of live ammunition at the demonstrators. “What we saw [dimanche]it was a demonstration that was organised, not spontaneous, violent, extremely dangerous, with molotov cocktails, Russian flags, anti-French slogans… all the ingredients of destabilization in the Russian-African style,” she said. highlighted on BFM-TV.
Ms Colonna also felt that it was « possible » to reinstate democratically elected President Mohamed Bazoum. “And it is necessary, because these destabilizations are perilous for Niger and its neighbours. »
The European Union on Monday condemned the arrest by Niger’s new junta of ministers from the ousted government and demanded their immediate release. “The EU denounces the continued arrests of ministers and senior officials of President Mohamed Bazoum’s government by the putschists in Niger”said Josep Borrell, head of EU diplomacy, on Twitter, renamed X. “We call for their immediate release”, he added. The Nigerien Party for Democracy and Socialism (PNDS, in power), denounced the “wrongful arrests” of four ministers – Interior, Petroleum, Mines and Transport – as well as the head of its national executive committee.
Ultimatum
Ouagadougou and Bamako “warn that any military intervention against Niger would lead to the withdrawal of Burkina Faso and Mali from ECOWAS (Economic Community of West African States), as well as the adoption of self-defense measures in support of the armed forces and to the people of Niger”.
Ils “warn against the disastrous consequences of a military intervention in Niger which could destabilize the entire region”. They add that they “refuse to apply” THE “illegal, illegitimate and inhuman sanctions against the people and authorities of Niger” decided in Abuja.
Russian President Vladimir Putin with the Head of State of Mali, Assimi Goïta, in Saint Petersburg on July 29. MIKHAIL METZEL / AFP
On Sunday, ECOWAS leaders gave the military junta in Niger a one-week ultimatum for a “full return to constitutional order”claiming not to exclude a “use of force” if this was not the case.
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They also decided to “suspend all commercial and financial transactions” between its member states and Niger, and to freeze the assets of military officials involved in the coup.
In a separate press release, Guinea, whose government was also the result of a coup, “expresses its disagreement with the sanctions recommended by ECOWAS, including military intervention” et “has decided not to apply these sanctions which it considers illegitimate and inhumane”. Conakry “urges ECOWAS to reconsider its position”.
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