French Military Evacuates Europeans from Niger Amid Coup Crisis
NIAMEY, Niger (AP) — A French military transport plane carrying Europeans from Niger arrived in Paris on Wednesday, marking the first evacuation flight since mutinous soldiers ousted the country’s democratically elected president nearly a week ago and closed its borders.
In response to the coup, France, Italy, and Spain have all announced evacuations for their citizens and other European nationals in Niger. They are concerned that their citizens may become trapped in the country due to the political instability. The coup has gained support from three other West African nations also ruled by mutinous soldiers.
French officials stated that approximately 600 French nationals and 400 individuals of other nationalities, ranging from Belgians to Danes, wish to leave Niger. The first evacuation flight primarily carried French nationals, and officials hope to complete the evacuation flights by Wednesday.
Due to the closure of Niger’s airspace, France coordinated the evacuations with the regime that ousted the country’s leader. However, France has not withdrawn its support for democratically elected President Mohamed Bazoum, according to diplomatic officials.
The recent violence targeting the French Embassy in the capital city of Niamey was cited as one of the reasons for offering evacuation flights to French citizens and other Europeans. Spain’s Defense Ministry also announced preparations to evacuate more than 70 nationals, and Italy is arranging a flight as well.
The coup against President Bazoum has sparked a deepening crisis in Niger. His apparent overthrow is a setback for Western nations that were collaborating with Niger in the fight against West African extremists.
In Niamey
How many French nationals and individuals of other nationalities have expressed their desire to leave Niger amid the coup crisis?
French Military Evacuates Europeans from Niger Amid Coup Crisis
NIAMEY, Niger (AP) — A French military transport plane successfully brought European citizens back to Paris on Wednesday, in the first evacuation flight since mutinous soldiers ousted Niger’s democratically elected president a week ago and closed the country’s borders.
As a response to the coup, France, Italy, and Spain have all made plans to evacuate their citizens and other European nationals from Niger, fearing that they may become stranded due to the political instability. The mutinous soldiers who undertook the coup have garnered support from three other West African nations with similar circumstances.
French officials have stated that around 600 French nationals and approximately 400 individuals of other nationalities, including Belgians and Danes, have expressed their desire to leave Niger. The initial evacuation flight primarily consisted of French citizens, and officials aim to complete the series of evacuation flights by the end of Wednesday.
Given the closure of Niger’s airspace, France had to coordinate the evacuations with the regime that overthrew the country’s leader. However, diplomatic officials have clarified that France has not withdrawn its support for President Mohamed Bazoum, who was democratically elected.
One of the reasons for offering evacuation flights to French citizens and other Europeans was the recent violence targeted at the French Embassy in Niamey, the capital city. Spain’s Defense Ministry has also announced its preparations to evacuate over 70 of its nationals, while Italy is in the process of arranging a flight.
The coup against President Bazoum has resulted in a deepening crisis in Niger. His apparent overthrow poses a setback for Western nations who were working alongside Niger to combat West African extremists.
In Niamey, exciting developments continue to unfold amidst this tense situation.
