France asks Niamey that the security of its embassy be "guaranteed"

2023-08-03 00:57:45

The United States ordered the evacuation of its non-essential staff from its embassy in Niger on Wednesday evening, after the military coup against Nigerien President Mohamed Bazoum. For its part, the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs has asked Niamey to ensure that the security of its embassy “will be fully guaranteed”. Follow our live.

Published on : 03/08/2023 – 02:57Modified : 03/08/2023 – 07:53

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6:57 am: France asks Niamey to ensure that the security of its embassy is “fully guaranteed”

France has asked “the Nigerien security forces to take the necessary measures to ensure that the security of foreign diplomatic premises in Niamey, particularly those of France, will be fully guaranteed” during demonstrations planned today, in the occasion of the commemoration of the independence of Niger.

“While several calls to demonstrate are being issued for August 3, France recalls that the security of land and diplomatic personnel are obligations under international law, and in particular the Vienna Conventions”, underlines the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in a statement.

#Niger | France once again condemns in the strongest terms the violence committed against its embassy in Niger on Sunday July 30 by organized and equipped groups.

While several calls to demonstrate are broadcast for August 3, France recalls that the… pic.twitter.com/HhmKdeeOUt

— France Diplomacy???????????????? (@francediplo) August 2, 2023

1:11 am: the evacuation operation has ended, according to the Quai d’Orsay

The evacuation operation for nationals wishing to leave Niger has ended, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced on its website.

The ministry said on Wednesday evening that a fourth evacuation flight left Niger bound for France, bringing the number of people evacuated from the West African country to 992.

0 h 52 : lhe United States orders the departure of its non-essential staff at the embassy

The United States has ordered the evacuation of its non-essential staff at the embassy in Niamey, after the military coup against Nigerien President Mohamed Bazoum, announced the State Department. “Because of this development, the Department of State has ordered the departure of non-essential government employees at the embassy” as well as their families, specifies a notice published Wednesday evening on its website.

At the same time, the State Department raised its alert level for Niger from 3 to 4, advising any American national not to travel to the country due to the security situation there. He said he reduced activities at the US Embassy in Niamey and ceased all daily operations, stressing that they can only intervene in an emergency.

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken spoke with President Bazoum on Wednesday, reiterating US support for restoring the elected president to office, in agreement with West African countries (ECOWAS). “The United States is committed to finding a peaceful resolution that will allow Niger to remain a strong partner in regional security and development,” said a statement from State Department spokesman Matthew Miller.

August 2 highlights

A military intervention in Niger would be “the last option on the table” to restore President Mohamed Bazoum, overthrown in a coup a week ago, an official from ECOWAS, the East African bloc, said on Wednesday. West whose leaders have threatened to use “force”.

At the same time, international aid continued to dry up, with the World Bank announcing the end of its disbursements to Niger.

In Niamey, the head of the military who took power, General Abdourahamane Tiani, declared “rejects (r) en bloc the sanctions” and “refuses (r) to yield to any threat”, in a televised speech, to the eve of the commemoration of the country’s independence, a former French colony. “We refuse any interference in the internal affairs of Niger.”

With AFP