APA – Niamey (Niger) – Until then, Paris had been inflexible with the Nigerien authorities.
Is there a change of heart in Niamey? Negotiations are underway between France and the new authorities in Niger. According to Le Monde, which reported the news on Tuesday 5 September, these talks are centered on the possible withdrawal of some of the French forces in Niger. There are 1,500 of these forces deployed in the capital Niamey, Ouallam and Ayorou.
The French media outlet, which has obtained the information from several sources, adds that one of them explains Paris’ stance by the end of the suspension of anti-terrorist cooperation between the two countries. For the time being, neither the terms nor the number of soldiers involved in this withdrawal have yet been defined, adds the newspaper, adding that the principle has been accepted.
The National Council for the Safeguard of the Homeland (CNSP), which seized power on 26 July after ousting Mohamed Bazoum, denounced the defense agreements with France. In the wake of this decision, the ruling military had asked the French forces to leave Niger. They had until Saturday 3 September to comply. But Paris refused to abide by the demands of the new Niger authorities, arguing that they were not legitimate.
Since then, tensions have escalated between the two capitals. Niamey has given the French ambassador, Sylvain Itte, 48 hours to pack up and leave. Addressing the ambassadors, Emmanuel Macron asked the French diplomat to stay, insisting on the need for France to be firm with the putschists, who are considered to be “Niger’s only problems.” In the same exercise, the French president reaffirmed his country’s support for the “diplomatic and military” solutions of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) to the crisis in Niger.
In response, Niamey described the French head of state’s remarks as “paternalistic.” Against this backdrop, civil society organizations close to the ruling military called for a siege of the French army base in Niamey. Thousands of Nigeriens responded to the call, prompting fears of unrest.
AC/fss/abj/APA