Macron reaffirms his desire to restore constitutional order in Niger | AIB

2023-09-27 20:36:14

Macron reaffirms his desire to restore constitutional order in Niger

POLICY: DIPLOMACY-FRANCE-NIGER-SUPPORT

PARIS, September 27. /TASS/. French President Emmanuel Macron reaffirmed on Wednesday his “support” for Nigerien President Mohamed Bazoum overthrown by a coup on July 26, despite the departure of the French ambassador from Niamey, expelled by the ruling military.

A few hours earlier, the head of the Paris diplomatic mission in Niger, Sylvain Itté, expelled by the putschists, returned to his country.

AFP, referring to the Élysée, informs that Emmanuel Macron spoke today with Hassoumi Massaoudou, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Niger of the overthrown government, to highlight Paris’ determination to “continue its efforts with the heads of state of ECOWAS and its European and international partners for a return to constitutional order” in the African country.

As a reminder, the Nigerien military announced on the evening of July 26 the dismissal of President Mohamed Bazoum, the closure of borders, the introduction of a curfew, the suspension of the Constitution and the ban on all political parties. Two days later, they proclaimed head of state General Abdourahamane Tchiani, who led the presidential guard, whose units still hold Mohamed Bazoum.

In mid-August, the Nigerien civil movement M62 accused the French authorities of wanting to start a war in the country and of continuing its looting. “The project of military aggression initiated from start to finish by France and imposed on the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) is a declaration of war on the countries of the Sahel and certain other neighboring states of Niger,” indicated the movement cited by the Niger Press Agency.