As the seven-day deadline given to the Niger Republic coupists to reinstate ousted President Mohamed Bazoum expires in five days, France’s foreign ministry said it has commenced the evacuation of its French and European citizens from Niger.
In a joint statement issued on the official website by the Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs and the Ministry for the Armed Forces, on Monday, France said the safety of its nationals is an obligation under international law.
This latest development comes days after its Embassy in Niamey was violently attacked.
The statement reads, “France reiterates that the safety of diplomatic premises and staff, as well as foreign residents, are obligations under international law, particularly the Vienna Conventions.
“The French Embassy in Niamey was violently attacked yesterday by groups which were clearly prepared and which the Nigerien security forces could not bring fully under control.
“Contrary to what certain Nigerien military leaders are claiming, no lethal resources were used by the French security forces.”
It would be recalled that supporters of the junta burned French flags and attacked the French embassy in Niger’s capital, Niamey, prompting police to fire volleys of tear gas in response, on Sunday.
French Foreign Minister Catherine Colonna told BFM TV late on Monday that the protest in front of the embassy and the ensuing accusations that France shot at the crowd – which it denies – “have all the usual ingredients of destabilisation, the Russian-African way”.
