France no longer has much influence in Niger after the coup in the country. Photo/Reuters
NIGER – Cout d’etat Niger shows the winds of change blowing in the French-speaking countries of Africa. France and other former colonial powers had to come to terms with the shift in power on the continent.
“The political situation in Niger should teach France and other Western countries, including the US and UK, that Africa cannot be taken for granted,” former Niger foreign affairs official Iliyasu Gadu told RT.
According to Gadu, the winds of change leading to the decline of western hegemony “were blowing to French-speaking Africa and West Africa” and had to be accepted by Paris and other former colonizers.
Last month, Niger’s presidential guard arrested President Mohamed Bazoum and seized power, sparking anti-French protests of thousands of people who supported the move.
The new military government accuses France of violating its airspace and releasing dangerous terrorists. Coup leaders previously accused the former colonial power of planning the attack to liberate Bazoum.
Paris has denied the allegations, claiming it flew the plane to the capital Niamey in accordance with an agreement with the Niger army.
The coup in Niger on July 26 has precipitated cuts in aid from partner countries, including France, Germany and the US.
Despite sanctions from the West African regional bloc ECOWAS, which is considering military intervention, the new authorities have resisted regional and international pressure to free the Bazoum and restore democratic order.
2023-08-10 22:05:04
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