French companies are the principal owner of three major uranium mines in Niger, which has the richest uranium cores in Africa. Niger is the world’s seventh-largest producer of uranium in the world and the second-largest producer of Uranium for the European Union. Some 70% of electricity created in France is made using nuclear power.
The Nigerien military leadership that ousted the Bazoum government of Niger in July ordered the French, German and American ambassadors to Niamey to leave the country within 48 hours.
The first of the orders came against French Ambassador Sylvain Itte, who reportedly declined to respond to an invitation to speak with the country’s new foreign minister, according to the Niger government. Officials also cited “other actions of the French government contrary to the interests of Niger,” in deciding to expel Itte.
The decision comes after a series of protests by citizens against the continued French presence in the area and statements by the military leaders against the former colonial power.
In response, the French foreign ministry said that “putschists have no authority,” to demand its ambassador to leave.
“The ambassador’s approval comes solely from the legitimate elected Nigerien authorities,” officials said.
France, which has about 1,500 soldiers stationed within Nigerien borders, has so far refused to recognize the military leadership’s decision to revoke agreements between France and the former government of Niger, arguing those deals were made by the country’s “legitimate authorities.”
Not long after reports surfaced of the order for Itte’s departure, the Nigerien leadership issued the same 48-hour order to the ambassadors of Germany, the US and its own envoys in the country.
In late July, the military leadership of Niger deposed President Mohamed Bazoum, one of three similar events in the area in as many years. Burkina Faso and Mali also experienced military takeovers in 2022 and 2021, respectively. Both of those countries also expelled French troops from their borders.
France has called for the restoration of the Bazoum administration. It has also supported the Economic Communist of West African States (ECOWAS) which has imposed sanctions on Niger and has threatened military action to “restore constitutional order.”
Niger has accused ECOWAS of being in the pocket of France and recently announced that they will allow the militaries of Burkina Faso and Mali to operate within Nigerien borders in the event of a military conflict, both have pledged to protect Niger from military intervention.
“Any military intervention against Niger will simulate a declaration of war against Burkina Faso and Mali,” the two countries said in a joint statement, adding that the two countries would exit ECOWAS if the bloc took military action against Niger.“
“[Burkina Faso and Mali] warn of the disastrous consequences of military intervention in Niger, which could destabilize the entire region as NATO’s unilateral intervention in Libya did, which led to the spread of terrorism in the Sahel and West Africa,” the statement said.
By Sputnik Globe
Published by Sputnik Globe
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[The article below was published about 10 minutes ago. However, the editors just realized there is another article which is not only related to the published article but also much more enlarged in its topics it dealt with. So, since the latter deals with the much broader issues than the first, we decided to publish the latter placing it above the already-published first article below.]
Niger Expels French Ambassador
Niamey cited hostile actions by Paris, as it braces for a possible attack by ECOWAS
The military government of Niger on Friday gave French Ambassador Sylvain Itte 48 hours to leave the country. The Nigerien Foreign Ministry justified the decision by Itte not responding to their invitation to a meeting and “other actions of the French Government contra the interests of Niger.”
The ambassador’s expulsion comes a month after the military of the former French colony, led by Brigadier General Abdourahamane Tchiani, ousted President Mohamed Bazoum. In response, 11 members of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) sanctioned Niger and threatened a military intervention to “restore democracy.”
Guinea declined to go along with the sanctions, while neighboring Mali and Burkina Faso said they would consider such an intervention an act of war against them. Late on Thursday, Niger authorized the two neighbors to come to its defense should ECOWAS invade.
“The three countries have agreed to grant each other facilities for mutual assistance in matters of defense and security in the event of aggression or terrorist attacks,” said a joint statement by their foreign ministries.
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Malian Foreign Minister Abdoulaye Diop and his Burkinabe colleague Olivia Rouamba also condemned the “illegal, illegitimate, and inhumane” sanctions imposed on Niger by ECOWAS and the West African Economic and Monetary Union (UEMOA).
Omar Alieu Touray, the ECOWAS Commission president, told AP that the sanctions have resulted in “serious socio-economic crises” in the country, but were “for the interest of the people of Niger.”
ECOWAS has repeatedly announced final plans for a military intervention, while continuing to send diplomatic missions to Niamey. On Thursday, a delegation of Islamic leaders was dispatched to Niger by Nigerian President Bola Tinubu, who also chairs the bloc.
Earlier this week, General Tchiani outlined a proposal to return to civilian rule that would take “no longer than three years,” but warned neighbors and France not to interfere in Niger’s internal affairs.
ECOWAS rejected the offer, demanding the immediate reinstatement of Bazoum. Touray told AP on Friday that the military option was “still on the table.”
By Rt.com
Published by Rt.com
Republished by The 21st Century
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