Rebel troops in Niger end military ties with France
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The Economic Community of West African Countries (ECOWS) has also threatened to use force if ousted President Mohamed Bazoum, under house arrest, is not released and reinstated by August 6. France’s foreign ministry rejected the move by the coup leaders, saying Paris only recognized “legitimate Nigerien authorities”. France reiterated its call for the “re-establishment of Niger’s democratic institutions”.
Niger’s military government says it has cut military ties with its former colonial ruler France and expelled some of the previous government’s top ambassadors. The military government has said citizens of the West African nation have been warned to beware of foreign forces and spies. Two more days remain on the deadline given by the West African regional bloc to release President Mohamed Bazoum and face possible force. Western countries have strongly condemned the coup in Niger. Many Western countries see Niger as their last reliable partner in efforts to fight jihadists linked to al-Qaeda and the Islamic State group in Africa’s Sahel region.
The junta, the top body of the military government, announced it was ending military agreements signed with France and also announced the removal of Niger’s ambassadors to France, the US, Togo and neighboring Nigeria. “Any attack against Niger will be responded to immediately and without warning,” said Colonel Major Amadou Abdramane, a spokesman for the coup leaders. The security situation was improving but is now at risk as Niger will lose aid from foreign partners and extremist groups will take advantage of the instability prevailing in the country. He said, “I am writing this as a hostage.”
“In this hour of crisis, I call on the US government and the entire international community to help restore our constitutional order,” he wrote. France has 1,500 troops in Niger that conduct joint operations with its army. and the US and other European countries have helped train Niger’s troops. The country’s new military ruler, General Abdurrahman Tchiyani, warned neighboring countries not to interfere in his country and appealed to the countrymen to be ready to defend the nation.
The Economic Community of West African Countries (ECOWS) has also threatened to use force if ousted President Mohamed Bazoum, under house arrest, is not released and reinstated by August 6. France’s foreign ministry rejected the move by the coup leaders, saying Paris only recognized “legitimate Nigerien authorities”. France reiterated its call for the “re-establishment of Niger’s democratic institutions”.
Disclaimer: IndiaTheNews has not edited this news. This news has been published from PTI-language feed.
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