France underlined this Saturday August 5 that it supported “with firmness and determination” the efforts of ECOWAS to defeat the coup attempt in Niger, on the eve of the end of an ultimatum from this West African bloc, who says he is ready to intervene militarily. “The future of Niger and the stability of the entire region are at stake,” the French Foreign Ministry said in a statement.
On Friday, the chiefs of staff of the Economic Community of West African States “defined the contours” of a “possible military intervention” against the Nigerien junta, according to an official of the regional organization. “All the elements were worked out during this meeting, including the necessary resources, but also the way and when we will deploy the force,” said Commissioner for Political Affairs and Security Abdel-Fatau Musah. , following a meeting in Abuja (Nigeria).
On July 30, four days after the coup that overthrew elected President Mohamed Bazoum, ECOWAS gave the putschists seven days, i.e. until Sunday evening, to restore him to office, citing recourse to “the strength”. “It’s a credible threat”, judged the French Minister of Foreign Affairs, Catherine Colonna, this Saturday on France news.
In the morning, she received the Prime Minister of the Republic of Niger, Ouhoumoudou Mahamadou, the ministry said in its statement, adding that the head of government was accompanied by Niger’s ambassador to France, Aichatou Boulama Kane. “The Minister reaffirmed France’s full support for President Bazoum, elected by the people of Niger, and his government, which are the one and only legitimate authorities in Niger,” she said.
As the ultimatum expires on Sunday, Paris “solemnly calls on those responsible for this coup attempt to release President Bazoum and all members of his government, and to allow the immediate return to constitutional and democratic order”, finally declares the Quai d’Orsay.