Nigerien security forces prepare to disperse pro-coup demonstrators gathered outside the French embassy, in Niamey, the capital city of Niger, July 30, 2023 [Souleymane Ag Anara/Reuters]
Metropolis Desk-
Days after President Mohamed Bazoum was deposed by members of his presidential guard, at least four European nations on Tuesday said that preparations to remove their citizens from Niger were underway.
The French foreign ministry announced in a statement that “France is preparing the evacuation of its citizens and (other) European citizens who want to leave the country,” adding that the evacuation would begin on Tuesday.
According to a statement from the German foreign ministry, the French have “offered, within the limits of available capacity, to take German nationals on board their flights from Niger” and have urged their compatriots to accept the offer.
Spain and Italy have also made arrangements to relocate their citizens currently residing there. Although the “special flight to Italy” was promised by the Italian foreign minister Antonio Tajani, a spokesman for the Spanish foreign ministry declined to give Reuters more information on the operation due to security reasons.
Although the exact number of European citizens in Niger is unknown, studies indicate that there are at least 600 French citizens and perhaps 70 Spaniards living there.
Aside from individuals who are there as part of a Bundeswehr military deployment, the foreign ministry of Germany estimated on Monday that there are presently no more than 100 German nationals in Niger.
The expulsion of Bazoum on July 26 — the seventh military coup in West and Central Africa in less than three years — has shocked the region.
While the military governments of Burkina Faso and Mali have declared any external military aggression in Niger would be considered an act of war against them, the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has sanctioned Niger and threatened the use of force if Bazoum is not reinstated within a week.
On Sunday, coup sympathizers invaded the French embassy in Niamey, the capital of Niger, and burned French flags. A “swift and uncompromising response” would be given in response to any attacks on French interests in Niger, according to French President Emmanuel Macron.
French nuclear fuels company Orano said its activities were continuing in Niger and would not be affected by the evacuations, as 99 percent of staff were Nigerien nationals.
Although France has troops in the area helping to combat armed groups for ten years, some people claim they want the former colonial power to quit meddling in their affairs.
Since becoming independent in 1960, the landlocked nation of Niger has experienced political unrest. Four coups and countless additional attempts, including two earlier against Bazoum, had occurred before Wednesday.
Source- Al Jazeera
