After military coup – Niger: First foreign citizens evacuated, Swiss contacted – News

  • A week after the military coup in Niger, Italy, following France, also began evacuating its own and foreign nationals from the West African country.
  • The Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (FDFA) is in contact with the French authorities and Swiss nationals on site.

A special flight landed in Rome on Wednesday morning, Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani said on Twitter. According to the Ansa news agency, there were 87 people on board the plane, including 36 Italians, 21 Americans, four Bulgarians and two Austrians. According to Tajani, there are almost 100 Italians in Niger.

France had previously reported that a first evacuation flight with more than 260 people on board had taken off from Niamey. There was no information as to whether people from other EU countries were on board the machine to France. According to information from the French General Staff, another plane should fly to France that night. A third aircraft should also be able to be used for the evacuation. According to the information, there are around 500 to 600 French in the country. It was said that other Europeans who wanted to leave the country could come with them.

FDFA in contact with French authorities


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Statement of the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (FDFA) to SRF regarding the evacuation of Swiss nationals:

“The FDFA is aware that France intends to carry out organized departure flights for its nationals and for citizens of other European countries from Niger during the course of the day. Against this background, the FDFA is in contact with the French authorities and Swiss nationals on site. No further information can be given at this time.”

And further: “According to the Swiss Abroad Act, the FDFA and the representations inform natural persons and their relatives in the event of a crisis and provide them with as much assistance as possible. The security recommendations of the FDFA must be observed. The decision to leave a crisis region is made voluntarily, at your own risk and at your own expense. The Confederation can participate in search and rescue measures in the receiving state or in other states. Those affected can contact the FDFA Helpline. (Tel. +41 800 24 7 365 or 0 800 24 7 365)»

At the weekend there were pro-coup protests in the Nigerien capital Niamey. Demonstrators also reportedly gathered in front of the French embassy.

Legend:

Nigerian protesters in Niamey. (Picture from 07/30/2023)

AP Photo/Sam Mednick

Some are said to have torn down the embassy plaque, trampled it and replaced it with Nigerien and Russian flags. Paris had condemned the violence.

Germany issues travel warning


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The German Foreign Office has issued a travel warning for Niger and advises all Germans to leave the country. All German nationals in Niger should check whether their stay is still absolutely necessary and, if necessary, use the next opportunity to leave the country, as the German Press Agency in Berlin learned from the ministry after the federal government’s crisis team had met.

Europe’s uranium supply secured

According to the EU Commission, Europe’s supply of the raw material uranium used for the operation of nuclear power plants is secure for the time being. There are sufficient supplies of the radioactive heavy metal that occurs in nature. «In the medium and long term, there are enough deposits on the world market to cover the needs of the EU.

Niger is an important uranium supplier for the EU countries. France, for example, obtains uranium from Niger. According to a Sahel expert, Niger has been France’s fifth largest supplier over the past ten years.

Constitution suspended

On Wednesday last week, officers from General Omar Tchiani’s elite unit arrested the democratically elected President Mohamed Bazoum and declared him ousted. Tchiani proclaimed himself the new ruler on Friday. Shortly after Tchiani took power as de facto president, the putschists suspended the West African country’s constitution and dissolved all constitutional institutions.

The former colonial power France has stationed around 2,500 soldiers in Niger and in neighboring Chad. Niger was recently one of their last local partners in the fight against terrorism in the Sahel. The country is also of interest to France for its uranium deposits.

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