Niger's military, who took power nationally, has accused France and its allies of plotting to unleash a military operation to bail out the country's ousted president Mohamed Bazoum, official spokesperson for the National Council for the Safeguard of the Homeland (a military body), Nigerien Air Force officer Colonel Amadou Abdramane stated on TV.
France is looking for opportunities for military intervention in Niger's affairs, a local news portal quoted him as saying.
Abdramane said that he had a document in his possession issued on behalf of the former Niger's Foreign Minister, Hassoumi Massoudou, who allegedly authorized France to strike at the presidential palace [in the capital Niamey] in order to let out President Bazoum.
It has not yet been possible to verify the authenticity of this document from independent sources.
Massoudou, who was outside Niger at the time of the events, declared himself interim Prime Minister of the African country.
The largest French air base in the Sahel is located in the Niger's capital Niamey. The size of the French contingent numbers between 1,000 and 1,500 soldiers, based on figures available. The African nation also hosts German, Italian and US troops. The American contingent has about a thousand service members, according to reports.