France, underlined on Saturday August 5, that it supported “with firmness and determination” the efforts of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) to thwart the coup attempt in Niger. The ultimatum of this West African bloc, which says it is ready to intervene militarily, must end on Sunday. “The future of Niger and the stability of the entire region are at stake”, underlined the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs, in a press release.
Paris “solemnly calls on those responsible for this coup attempt to release President Bazoum and all the members of his government, and to allow the immediate return to constitutional and democratic order”declares the Quai d’Orsay again.
On July 30, four days after the coup that overthrew elected President Mohamed Bazoum, ECOWAS gave the putschists seven days, i.e. until Sunday evening, to restore him to office, citing an appeal to ” strength “. “It’s a credible threat”, judged the French Minister of Foreign Affairs, Catherine Colonna, on Saturday on France info.
On Friday, the ECOWAS chiefs of staff “defined the contours of a possible military intervention” against the Nigerien junta, according to an official of the regional organization. “All the elements of a possible intervention were worked out at this meeting, including the resources needed, but also how and when we will deploy the force”affirmed the Commissioner for Political Affairs and Security, Abdel-Fatau Musah, after a meeting in Abuja (Nigeria).
“The coup d’etat too many”
Catherine Colonna received on Saturday morning at the Quai d’Orsay the Prime Minister of the Republic of Niger, Ouhoumoudou Mahamadou, the ministry said in its statement. The head of government was accompanied by Niger’s ambassador to France, Aichatou Boulama Kane, to whom the putschists notified the end of office on Friday – a decision she rejected. “The Minister reaffirmed France’s full support for President Bazoum, elected by the people of Niger, and his government, who are the sole and unique legitimate authorities in Niger”did she say.
Ms. Colonna once again hammered on RFI that the international community so demanded “unanimous” the restoration of democracy “immediately and before the expiry of the deadline which has been set by the countries of the region, which falls tomorrow”Sunday.
“So they have until tomorrow to give up this adventurism, these personal adventures, and restore democracy in Niger”she added. “Coups are no longer necessary and are no longer appropriate, it’s one coup too many, it’s unacceptable”she also reacted.
Other West African countries, Mali and Burkina, governed by putschist soldiers and suspended from ECOWAS authorities, have warned that they would stand in solidarity with Niger and that any military intervention would be considered as “a declaration of war” against them. The putschists of Niamey, led by General Abdourahamane Tiani, for their part promised a “immediate response” To “any aggression”.