After military coup – Niger: France starts evacuating its citizens today – News

  • After the military coup in Niger, France wants to start evacuating its citizens today, Tuesday.
  • Other European nationals who wanted to leave the West African country could also travel with them.
  • Italy has also offered its citizens to fly them out on a special flight.
  • The Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (FDFA) is in contact with the French authorities and Swiss nationals on site.

According to the Foreign Ministry, around 500 French citizens are in Niger. According to the Foreign Ministry there, there are 100 Italians in Italy. Despite the evacuation offer, the Italian embassy remains open and ready for action “to contribute to mediation efforts,” wrote Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani on Twitter.

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.

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.

Crisis team in Germany


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At 1 p.m. in Berlin, the federal government’s crisis management team was to discuss the situation in Niger again and carry out an up-to-date assessment of the security situation for the almost 100 German civilians in the country. It was expected that the French offer to take other citizens with them would be discussed. France can land with several machines with the approval of the Nigerien authorities, although flight operations at Niamey Airport are prohibited until Friday. Germany had still not activated any evacuation plans of its own.

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.

Coup in Niger

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.

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)»

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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