French Foreign Minister Catherine Colonna has rejected allegations made by the coup leaders in Niger, stating that it is still “possible” to restore President Mohamed Bazoum to power. The coup leaders had claimed that the toppled government had authorized France to carry out an attack on the presidential palace in an attempt to free President Bazoum. Colonel Amadou Abdramane, one of the coup plotters, made these claims on state television, stating that the authorization was signed by Foreign Minister Hassoumi Massoudou, who was acting as prime minister at the time. However, the whereabouts of Massoudou and Bazoum remain unknown.
France has dismissed these allegations, with Foreign Minister Catherine Colonna stating that it is still possible to restore Bazoum to power. Bazoum, a Western ally, was toppled by the elite Presidential Guard last week, marking Niger’s first peaceful transition of power since independence. The coup leader, General Abdourahamane Tchiani, has declared himself leader, but his claim has been dismissed internationally. The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has given Tchiani a week to hand back power.
Bazoum’s PNDS party has warned that Niger risks becoming a “dictatorial and totalitarian regime” following a series of arrests. On Monday, the oil and mining ministers were arrested, along with the head of PNDS’s national executive committee. The coup leaders had previously arrested the interior minister, the transport minister, and a former defense minister.
The coup leaders also accused France of attempting to intervene militarily in Niger, claiming that a meeting was held with the chief of staff of the Nigerien national guard to obtain political and military authorization. However, Foreign Minister Colonna rejected these allegations, emphasizing the importance of restoring the democratically elected president to power to avoid destabilization in Niger and its neighboring countries.
French President Emmanuel Macron has promised immediate and uncompromising action if French citizens or interests are attacked. Thousands of protesters rallied outside the French embassy in Niamey, with some attempting to enter the compound but being dispersed by tear gas.
The coup leaders, who seized power by blocking President Bazoum inside the palace, have warned against foreign attempts to extract the president, stating that it would result in bloodshed and chaos. ECOWAS has also warned that it could use force if Bazoum is not reinstated within a week, stating that it will take all measures to restore constitutional order, including the use of force if necessary.
Chadian President Mahamat Idriss Deby visited Niamey as an ECOWAS envoy and held separate meetings with Bazoum and Tchiani. ECOWAS has imposed strict sanctions, including suspending all commercial and financial transactions between its member states and Niger, as well as freezing assets in regional central banks. These economic sanctions could have a deep impact on Niger, which relies heavily on imports from Nigeria for up to 90 percent of its power.
Prime Minister Ouhoumoudou Mahamadou has expressed concerns about the potential impact of the sanctions, stating that Niger needs to find a solution to avoid them. He highlighted the difficulties faced by the country when borders are closed and emphasized Niger’s reliance on the international community.
Niger, a landlocked country, has had a turbulent political history since gaining independence in 1960, with four previous coups and numerous other attempts. This recent coup marks the third attempt against President Bazoum.
What steps are regional and international organizations, such as ECOWAS, taking to restore democratic governance in Niger
D these allegations, stating that there is no truth to the claim that France was involved in any military intervention in Niger. She emphasized that France supports the restoration of President Bazoum to power and believes that it is still possible to achieve this through peaceful means.
The coup in Niger, which saw the ousting of President Bazoum by the Presidential Guard, marked the country’s first peaceful transition of power since gaining independence. General Abdourahamane Tchiani, the coup leader, has declared himself the new leader, but his claim has been widely dismissed by the international community.
The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has given Tchiani a one-week ultimatum to hand back power, highlighting the regional and international efforts to restore democratic governance in Niger.
Meanwhile, President Bazoum’s political party, the PNDS, has raised concerns about the potential for Niger to become a “dictatorial and totalitarian regime” following a series of arrests. On Monday, the oil and mining ministers, as well as the head of PNDS’s national executive committee, were detained. This followed the earlier arrests of the interior minister, the transport minister, and a former defense minister by the coup leaders.
In light of these developments, the situation in Niger remains tense and uncertain. The international community, including France and regional organizations like ECOWAS, are closely monitoring the situation and urging for a peaceful resolution that restores President Bazoum to power and respects democratic principles.
The French Foreign Minister’s strong rejection of the allegations against them and their commitment to restore the President to power in Niger is a significant step towards resolving the crisis. This shows a clear determination to support democracy and stability in the country.
It is reassuring to see the French Foreign Minister dismissing the allegations and showing commitment to restoring stability in Niger. International cooperation is crucial in supporting democracy and upholding the will of the people.