France has suspended cooperation with Niger in the field of development, as well as all military partnerships, until further notice, said Colonel Pierre Gaudilliere, a spokesman for the French military, commenting on the situation in the West African nation.
According to the official, all military agreements with Niger were made with the democratically elected government and have been halted since those authorities were ousted.
Gaudilliere noted that the military partnership with the country's authorities has been successful in combating terrorism and allowing farmers and citizens affected by the activities of various terrorist groups to return to their daily lives. He added that the primary mission of the French mission is to restore peace and ensure security.
On Tuesday, the country began evacuating its citizens and other European nationals from Niger following protests near the French embassy in Niger's capital, Niamey. It was emphasized that the operation concerned only civilians from France and Europe, while the evacuation of French soldiers from Niger is "not on the agenda."
"The departure of French military is absolutely not on the agenda," army spokesman Pierre Gaudilliere told local media on Wednesday.
Niger was one of France's last allies in the Sahel, a region plagued by instability, insecurity and jihadist attacks. Earlier, France put an end to the anti-terrorist Operation Barkhane and withdrew from Mali under pressure from the Bamako military. The largest French air base in the Sahel is located in Niamey, Niger. The size of the French contingent ranges from 1,000 to 1,500 soldiers, who until now operated jointly with the Nigerien army.
On July 26, members of Niger's presidential guard said in a statement broadcast on national television that they had overthrown the president, closed the borders, and imposed a curfew. The guard's commander, General Abdourahmane Tchiani, proclaimed himself the new leader of the nation.
Following the developments, on July 30, thousands of supporters of the military coup took to the streets across Niger to protest against France and the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS). The latter suspended all financial aid to Niger, urging the military to return detained President Bazoum to power and restore constitutional order in the country.
Among other locations, the protesters gathered in front of France's embassy in Niamey, chanting slogans against former colonial ruler France and ECOWAS.
Against this background, French President Emmanuel Macron stated that Paris would respond "immediately" to any violence against French nationals in Niger and would "not tolerate any attack on France and its interests."