France on Monday denied reports that it used lethal means to disperse protesters on Sunday outside its embassy in Niamey, Niger. After the demonstration, some Nigerien officials spoke to the press of French firing of live ammunition into the crowd.
“Contrary to what certain Nigerien military officials claim, no lethal means were used by the French security forces”, declared in a joint press release the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of the Armed Forces.
The use of tear gas canisters
A coup in Niger, led by General Abdourahamane Tchiani, overthrew elected President Mohamed Bazoum last week. General Tchiani justified this putsch by “the deterioration of the security situation” in a country undermined by the violence of jihadist groups. Thousands of pro-coup demonstrators then gathered on Sunday outside the French embassy in Niamey, capital of Niger, before being dispersed by tear gas canisters.
Some wanted to enter the building, others ripped off the plaque displaying “French Embassy in Niger”, before trampling it on the tarmac and replacing it with Russian and Nigerien flags. “The French Embassy in Niamey was violently attacked yesterday by visibly prepared groups, which the Nigerien security forces did not fully manage to control”, regretted the French ministries.
Niger accuses France of wanting to intervene militarily
“France recalls that the security of diplomatic premises and personnel, as well as of foreign residents, are obligations under international law, and in particular the Vienna Conventions”, they recalled. The Nigerien soldiers who overthrew President Bazoum on Monday accused France – a former colonial power in Niger and unwavering support of the ousted president – of “wanting to intervene militarily”, the day after a summit of Niger’s West African neighbors who threatened to use “force” if he was not reinstated by Sunday.