Situation in Niger After Military Coup
On July 26, Niger's presidential guard detained President Mohamed Bazoum. The guard's commander, Gen. Abdourahmane Tchiani, proclaimed himself the country's new leader.

Mauritanian President Says Country Not Best Option to Deploy French Troops Leaving Niger

© AP PhotoFrench Barkhane Air Force mechanics maintain a Mirage 2000 on the Niamey, Niger base on June 5, 2021.
French Barkhane Air Force mechanics maintain a Mirage 2000 on the Niamey, Niger base on June 5, 2021.  - Sputnik Africa, 1920, 30.09.2023
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PARIS (Sputnik) - Mauritanian President Mohamed Ould Ghazouani has expressed the belief that his country is not the best option to deploy the 1,500 French military personnel withdrawing from Niger, saying that the troops should be stationed closer to the field of activity.
"Mauritania does not seem to me, either strategically or geographically, the best country to deploy the military designed to fight terrorism in the Sahel. In such a counter-terrorism scenario, specialized forces are more logical to operate from a country that is closer to the center [of the African continent] or closer to the field of activity. Moreover, Mauritania has not experienced a terrorist attack since 2011 and is probably less likely to need the assistance of a multinational force," Ghazouani told French newspaper Le Figaro on Friday.
He also said he had on many occasions spoken by phone with ousted Nigerien President Mohamed Bazoum, who is being held by the coup leaders. Bazoum feels fine and is optimistic, the Mauritanian president added.
A coup took place in Niger, a former French colony, on July 26. French-backed President Bazoum was ousted and detained by his own guard, led by Gen. Abdourahmane Tchiani. The coup leaders demanded the withdrawal of French troops from the country. Paris initially refused, but on September 24, French President Emmanuel Macron announced the withdrawal.
Протесты возле авиабазы в Ниамее с требованием вывода французских военных сил из Нигера - Sputnik Africa, 1920, 25.09.2023
Situation in Niger After Military Coup
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