Niger's military government has accused France of deploying forces in some West African countries for a "military intervention" in Niger, AFP reported citing government member Col. Maj. Amadou Abdramane.
"France continues to deploy its forces in several ECOWAS [Economic Community of West African States] countries as part of preparations for an aggression against Niger, which it is planning in collaboration with this community organization," the news agency quoted Abdramane as saying in a statement broadcast on Niger's national television.
A coup took place in Niger on July 26. President Mohamed Bazoum was ousted and detained by his own guard, led by Gen. Abdourahmane Tchiani. Following the coup, ECOWAS suspended all cooperation with Niger and threatened an invasion if the military did not reinstate Bazoum.