Niger: Military government accuses France of deploying troops for potential attack

The junta in Niger have faulted France for deploying weapons and troops in some West African countries ahead of a possible military intervention in the country in collaboration with ECOWAS. The military government condemned the move and called for the immediate departure of the French forces stationed in the country…

Niger coup leaders have accused France of deploying troops in various West African nations in preparation for a potential military intervention in Niger alongside the regional body ECOWAS.

The junta also reiterated its call for French troops to leave its country in a communique read on state television overnight.

This has been a key source of face-off between the former allies since the July 26 ousting of President Mohamed Bazoum.

The statement appealed to “national and international opinion to witness the consequences of this aggressive, underhanded and contemptuous attitude adopted by France.”

Niger’s military administration condemned France for being “insincere” after it said it had taken no tangible moves to withdraw troops as promised in early September.

Since Sept. 1, when the commander of French forces in the Sahel announced a plan to remove troops from Niger, “no progress has been made in the implementation of the plan,” according to a statement aired on national television by government spokesperson Col. Amadou Abdramane.

Thousands of Nigeriens have been protesting repeatedly in the capital Niamey against the presence of French troops.

The military leaders appealed Saturday to the population to remain “vigilant and never to demobilize until the inevitable departure of French troops from our territory.”

Niger houses 1,500 French troops as part of a regional counter-insurgency operation.

The country was thrown into chaos on July 26 when Gen. Abdourahamane Tchiani, a former commander of the presidential guard, spearheaded a military operation that removed Mohamed Bazoum.