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.

French Military Failed to Defeat Terrorists in Niger, General Tchiani Says

© AFP 2024 ALAIN JOCARDFrench soldiers of the 2e Regiment Etranger de Parachutistes (2eREP - 2nd Foreign Parachute Regiment ) and Nigerien soldiers prepare for a mission on the French BAP air base, in Niamey, on May 14, 2023.
French soldiers of the 2e Regiment Etranger de Parachutistes (2eREP - 2nd Foreign Parachute Regiment ) and Nigerien soldiers prepare for a mission on the French BAP air base, in Niamey, on May 14, 2023. - Sputnik Africa, 1920, 01.10.2023
Subscribe
On July 26, a coup took place in Niger, a former French colony. President Bazoum was overthrown and detained by his guard, led by General Abdourahmane Tchiani. Later, Niger demanded the pullout of French troops from the country. Paris initially refused, but on September 24 French President Emmanuel Macron announced the withdrawal.
The leader of the military who seized power in Niger, Abdourahamane Tchiani, said that the French military currently preparing to leave his country has failed to help defeat terrorism.

"Not only have they failed to fight terrorism, but there are even more terrorists," French media quoted him as saying on Sunday.

"Since the French, who were with us to fight against terrorism, have unilaterally stopped cooperating with us, their stay in Niger is coming to an end," Tchiani added.
Nigeriens, some holding Russian flags, participate in a march called by supporters of coup leader Gen. Abdourahmane Tchiani in Niamey, Nige - Sputnik Africa, 1920, 28.09.2023
Situation in Niger After Military Coup
Nigeriens Hold Concert to Celebrate French Envoy's Departure From Country
According to him, the Nigerian authorities are currently "making preparations" for the departure of the French military. Tchiani noted that the military carried out the coup in Niger precisely because the authorities did not listen to their opinion on the country's security issues.
Tchiani made the statements to journalists, speaking not in French, but in Djerma and Hausa, indigenous languages of Niger. Earlier, French President Emmanuel Macron, who does not recognize the new authorities of Niger, said that the French military contingent (about 1,500 troops) would leave the country by the end of the year.
On July 26, a coup took place in Niger. Nigerien President Bazoum was ousted and detained by Gen. Tchiani. Following the coup, ECOWAS suspended all cooperation with Niger and threatened a military intervention if the new authorities did not reinstate Bazoum.
Insecurity in the region has increased in recent years due to radical Islamic terrorist activities in the Sahel region. According to the Africa Security Brief, this region "experienced the largest increase in violent extremist activity of any region in Africa" in 2017-2020.
Newsfeed
0