Making a statement at the 29th Ambassadors Conference in the capital Paris, French President Emmanuel Macron said, “Despite the pressures of the putschists, our Ambassador (Sylvain Itte) will stay in Niamey.” said.
“WE WANT TO BE OPEN AND CONSISTENT”
From Washington to some European capitals, Macron said that he heard some voices about “France’s failure to delve further into the Niger issue and that this issue has taken a dangerous dimension” and that he saw some exits in the newspapers or through the columns, saying, “No. Clear and consistent. “We want to be. I think our policy is good.” he said.
“‘France is very focused on supporting Bazum.’ they say, what would you do if such a coup happened in Bulgaria or Romania?” Macron asked, adding that Bazum was elected to power and did not want to resign at the risk of his family’s life.
Claiming that France is against the authoritarian and debilitating attitudes in Africa, Macron commented that the Sahel region is facing a “coup epidemic”, referring to the military coups in Mali, Burkina Faso, Guinea and finally Niger.
REPEATED SUPPORT TO ECOWAS
Stating that they do not recognize the military administration in Niger and that they support “President Mohammed Bazum, who has not yet submitted his resignation,” Macron reiterated that they support the decision and policies of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) for a military operation against the Niger administration.
Expressing that France and its diplomats have faced difficulties in many countries in recent months, Macron said that he greeted the French diplomats who were not present at the conference in Paris.
Stating that some countries are fueling anti-French sentiment in the African continent, Macron argued that France’s military presence in the Sahel is in line with the demands of the countries in the region.
“MALI, BURKINA FASO AND NIGER WOULD HAVE DONE TODAY”
Macron, “Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger would have disappeared today if France had not intervened despite the demand of African countries.” He said that his country should have an agenda to support African democracy and defense.
The French President warned Europe and Western countries “the risk of weakening in the international arena”.
Pointing out that the continent countries should carry out a common policy in the fight against the flow of migrants, Macron drew attention to the fact that the fight against illegal migration is among the priority problems.
Macron also asked the Iranian administration to release the French citizens detained in the country.
Stating that the French detainees were held in unsuitable conditions, Macron argued that there was no justification for their detention.
Macron expressed that he is in favor of expanding the union and accelerating this process regarding Ukraine’s accession to the European Union (EU).
WHAT HAPPENED?
The Niger Ministry of Foreign Affairs gave Ambassador Itte 48 hours to leave the country on 25 August.
France, on the other hand, declared that “the junta is not an authority that can demand the departure of the French ambassador”.
As the time given to Ambassador Itte expired at 19.00 local time yesterday, the security measures taken in front of the French Embassy attracted attention.
It is stated that the military administration may stop the supply of electricity, water, food and fuel to the French Embassy and the French military base if Itte does not leave the country.
France has about 1500 soldiers in Niger and a military base near Diori Hamani Airport.
The military administration, which came to power in Niger on July 26, announced that the five military cooperation agreements signed with France were cancelled.
COUP IN NIGER!
President Mohammad Bazum in Niger was detained by elements of the Presidential Guard Regiment on July 26, and that evening the soldier announced that he had seized power.
General Abdurrahmane Tchiani, Commander of the Presidential Guard Regiment, became the head of the transitional government called CNSP on July 28.
The CNSP appointed Lamine Zeine as prime minister on 7 August and announced the 21-member cabinet on 10 August, consisting of soldiers and civilians.
Source: AA