2023-09-04 22:46:50
Niger’s military-appointed prime minister declared on Monday that “discussions” were underway to obtain the speedy departure of French soldiers, while hoping to reach an “agreement” with West African countries that They wield the threat of armed intervention. In a press conference lasting more than an hour, Ali Mahaman Lamine Zeine said on Monday that French forces were “in an illegal position” in Niger and that “ongoing exchanges should allow their withdrawal very quickly.”
On August 3, the coup generals had denounced various military cooperation agreements with Paris, which has some 1,500 soldiers committed to the fight against jihadism in Niger. According to the generals, one of these agreements contained a notice period of one month. However, Zeine assured them that his government hoped “if possible, to maintain cooperation with a country with which we have shared a lot.”
Niger also withdrew the diplomatic immunity and visa of the French ambassador Sylvain Itté, and demanded his expulsion. According to Zeine, this decision is justified by the “contemptuous behavior” of the diplomat, who refused to accept an invitation to meet with the authorities on August 25.
France, a former colonial power that regularly reaffirms that it does not recognize the new authorities in Niamey, has indicated that it has no intention of implementing these decisions, be it the soldiers or the ambassador.
“Do you think we are going to send the police to the embassy? It is an enclave that we recognize. But if he comes out, he is an illegal immigrant,” Zeine said. According to article 22 of the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations, the premises of embassies are “inviolable” and the agents of the State in which they are located may not “enter them, except with the consent of the head of the mission”.
reopening of airspace
The head of the government appointed by the military that overthrew President-elect Mohamed Bazoum on July 26 also spoke of dialogue with the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS). “We have not interrupted talks with ECOWAS. We hope to reach an agreement within a few days,” he declared.
The West African organization has not changed its position since the coup: it calls for the “immediate” restoration of constitutional order, including the release of ousted President Mohamed Bazoum and his reinstatement in office. For their part, the new Niamey authorities foresee a transition of “three years maximum”.
ECOWAS has on several occasions brandished the threat of armed intervention and has imposed heavy economic sanctions on Niger. “We expect to be attacked at any moment. All necessary measures have been taken. It would be an unjust war. We are determined to defend ourselves if an attack occurs,” Zeine said in this regard.
But the diplomatic solution remains a priority. On Thursday, Nigerian President Bola Tinubu, who also chairs ECOWAS, opened the door to a possible short transition period. He cited the example of the nine-month transition that took place in his country in 1999, and sees “no reason why it cannot be repeated in Niger, if the military authorities are sincere.”
On Monday, Niger also reopened its airspace to commercial flights. It had closed it on August 6 “before the threat of intervention from neighboring countries.” Niger’s airspace remains closed to all military flights, except with prior authorization from the authorities, according to a spokesperson for the Ministry of Transport, quoted by the Niger News Agency.
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