Protests Against French Troop Presence In Niger Escalate As Protesters Threaten To Storm Military Base And Embassy
Protests against French troop presence in Niger escalate as hundreds of supporters of the military administration took to the streets in protest near the French military base in the capital, Niamey, expressing their opposition to the presence of French troops in the country.
Author:Dexter CookeReviewer:Hajra ShannonAug 27, 20232.1K Shares110.7K Views
Protests against French troop presence in Niger escalateas hundreds of supporters of the military administration took to the streets in protest near the French military base in the capital, Niamey, expressing their opposition to the presence of French troops in the country.
Anti-French Sentiments And Ultimatum
Demonstrators carried placards with anti-French slogans, accusing France of interfering in Niger's affairs.
They chanted anti-French sentiments and even threatened to storm the French Embassy and military base if French troops and the ambassador did not leave the country.
The protests occurred shortly after the military administration issued an ultimatum for the French ambassador to depart.
This ultimatum was in response to the ambassador allegedly ignoring an invitation for a meeting at the foreign ministry and engaging in actions deemed contrary to Niger's interests.
France has maintained around 1,500 personnel in Niger as part of a counter-insurgency force in the Sahel region, actively combating militants linked to Daesh/ISIS and al-Qaeda.
Tens of thousands of Niger coup supporters rally after French ambassador ordered to leave
Cancellation Of Military Accords And Reactions
Earlier this month, the military administration claimed to have revoked several military agreements Niger had with France.
However, Paris dismissed this action, asserting that military leaders lacked the legitimate authority to make such decisions.
In a related development, thousands of supporters marched to Niamey's largest stadium to mark one year since President Mohamed Bazoum was ousted.
They displayed national flags, including Nigerien, Algerian, and Russian ones, and were joined by members of the National Council for the Safeguard of the Country (CNSP), formed after the military takeover. These groups encouraged supporters to sustain pressure.
French Ambassador's Expulsion
Niger's military administration issued a 48-hour expulsion notice to the French Ambassador Sylvain Itte.
The administration accused him of refusing to meet Niger's foreign minister. While the ministry stated that only the French ambassador was declared persona non grata, reports circulated suggesting other envoys were also expelled.
The French Foreign Ministry rejected the expulsion order, claiming that the military administration lacked the authority to expel the ambassador.
The ministry expressed solidarity with Nigerien Ambassador Aichatou Boulama Kane in Paris, who refused to vacate her position following the military takeover.
Niger experienced a period of uncertainty on July 26 when Gen. Abdourahamane Tchiani, a former commander of the presidential guard, orchestrated a military intervention that led to the removal of President Mohamed Bazoum from power.
Final Words
In Niger, protests against the presence of French troops have escalated, with demonstrators expressing their opposition near a French military base.
The military administration's ultimatum for the French ambassador to leave further heightened tensions.
As diplomatic and political challenges persist, Niger remains in a state of uncertainty following the military intervention that ousted President Mohamed Bazoum.
Dexter Cooke
Author
Dexter Cooke is an economist, marketing strategist, and orthopedic surgeon with over 20 years of experience crafting compelling narratives that resonate worldwide.
He holds a Journalism degree from Columbia University, an Economics background from Yale University, and a medical degree with a postdoctoral fellowship in orthopedic medicine from the Medical University of South Carolina.
Dexter’s insights into media, economics, and marketing shine through his prolific contributions to respected publications and advisory roles for influential organizations.
As an orthopedic surgeon specializing in minimally invasive knee replacement surgery and laparoscopic procedures, Dexter prioritizes patient care above all.
Outside his professional pursuits, Dexter enjoys collecting vintage watches, studying ancient civilizations, learning about astronomy, and participating in charity runs.
Hajra Shannon
Reviewer
Hajra Shannona is a highly experienced journalist with over 9 years of expertise in news writing, investigative reporting, and political analysis.
She holds a Bachelor's degree in Journalism from Columbia University and has contributed to reputable publications focusing on global affairs, human rights, and environmental sustainability.
Hajra's authoritative voice and trustworthy reporting reflect her commitment to delivering insightful news content.
Beyond journalism, she enjoys exploring new cultures through travel and pursuing outdoor photography
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