THE GUARDIAN: Decision comes after junta accused France of plotting to reinstate Mohamed Bazoum
France has said it will immediately begin evacuating its citizens and other Europeans from Niger, days after a junta toppled the president, Mohamed Bazoum, and seized power in the west African country.
Tensions between Niger and the former colonial power, France, have escalated after the coup on 26 July overthrew one of the last pro-western leaders in Africa’s Sahel region, which has faced jihadist insurgencies.
France’s decision to swiftly evacuate its citizens from Niger goes further than its reaction to putsches in recent years in neighbouring former French colonies, Mali and Burkina Faso, where French people were not evacuated after military coups.
The Italian government also said it would arrange a special flight to repatriate its nationals from Niger. » | Angelique Chrisafis in Paris | Tuesday, August 1, 2023
Coup d’Etat au Niger : les ressortissants français seront évacués « dès aujourd’hui » : Les détails de l’opération seront communiqués « le plus rapidement possible », selon un message reçu par les Français sur place. « La fermeture de l’espace aérien laisse nos compatriotes sans possibilité de quitter le pays par leurs propres moyens », justifie le Quai d’Orsay. »
