France refused to comment today, Monday, on news of its preparation for an attack on Niger, stressing that Mohamed Bazoum is the legitimate president of the country.
Today, Monday, the French Foreign Ministry said that the only authority whose legitimacy Paris recognizes in Niger is President Mohamed Bazoum, in response to a question about whether France had obtained authorization from Niger to launch strikes to liberate the leader of Niamey.
The French Foreign Ministry added in a statement, “Our priority is the security of our citizens and our facilities, which cannot be targeted with violence in accordance with international law,” according to Reuters.
authorization to strike
This came after the military council that seized power in Niger last week said, today, Monday, that the overthrown government had given France a mandate to launch strikes on the presidential residence in an attempt to liberate Bazoum.
The ministry did not deny or confirm obtaining authorization to launch strikes in Niger.
On Sunday, West African countries gave the military group in Niger a week to restore constitutional order, imposing an economic blockade and stressing that they do not rule out “the use of force.”
On the other hand, tension escalated between the military group and France, which the putschists accused of seeking “military intervention” in order to restore Bazoum to power.
On Sunday, French President Emmanuel Macron vowed to the putschists to respond “immediately and severely” to any attack targeting France’s citizens and interests in Niger, where thousands of people demonstrated in front of the Paris embassy in Niamey.
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2023-07-31 11:00:00
