The military junta in Niger is considering establishing “future relations” with France
The military regime that took power intends to NigerFollowing the coup, the establishment of “future relations with France,” as its president, General Abderrahmane Tiani, announced on national television on Saturday evening.
“The Nigerian people will now determine the shape of future relations with France,” Tiani said.
These statements come a week after French President Emmanuel Macron announced the return of his country’s ambassador to Niger, Sylvain Aite, to Paris, and the departure of about 1,500 soldiers deployed to fight militants in Niger “by the end of the year.”
The military regime had ordered the departure of the ambassador, and renewed its desire for the withdrawal of French forces.
“We are preparing for their departure,” Tiani added.
The Nigerien regime has entered into a confrontation with France since the military carried out a coup on July 26 that overthrew President Mohamed Bazoum, who is loyal to the former colonial power and does not recognize the new authorities in Niger.
Tiani said: “Since they (the French) were here to fight terrorism and unilaterally stopped all forms of cooperation (…) their stay in Niger has ended.”
The general believed that “the French not only failed to expel the terrorists, but the number of terrorists increased.” He added, “If we ignore this, the country will be in danger of disappearing one day, so we decided to take measures because the individuals (in Bazoum’s regime) did not listen to their military advisors.”
The general also criticized the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), which imposed political and economic sanctions following the coup, and threatened Niger with armed intervention.
He said the group “did not even try to find out the reasons” for the coup, expressing his regret that “the population is suffering from the sanctions.”
After being criticized by Western and African countries, the Nigerian regime concluded new alliances with Mali and Burkina Faso, which are also led by the military.
Tiani indicated that he signed the Sahel States Charter, which aims to establish a joint defense structure, explaining that “an economic agreement will follow that.”
(AFP)
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2023-10-01 14:30:28
