In total, there are 1,500 French soldiers in Niger.
According to the minister, they are staying there “at the request of the legitimate authorities of the country” to help in the fight against terrorism.
At the end of July in Niger, the military blocked the presidential palace and announced the dismissal of President Mohamed Bazum. In the country, the National Council for the Defense of the Fatherland was created and the state borders were closed.
The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) issued an ultimatum on July 30 demanding that Bazum return to power within a week. The Nigerian president has asked the country’s Senate to support the decision on military intervention in neighboring Niger.
For their part, the military governments of Burkina Faso and Mali warned against any foreign interference in the neighboring country, vowing to take decisive measures in self-defense and support for the Nigerien people and armed forces.
The authorities of Western countries have begun the evacuation of their citizens from Niger.
Niger’s President Mohamed Bazum, who was overthrown by the military, called on the United States and the international community to help restore constitutional order in the country.
