The Niger Armed Forces ordered today to put the troops on “maximum alert”, after yesterday the de facto government expelled ambassadors from five countries from the capital Niamey, in the context of tensions after the coup committed by a group of officers at the end of July.
“Upon receipt of this, all troops will be placed on maximum alert,” the chief of the General Staff, Moussa Salaou Barmou, announced today in a radio message issued urgently and replicated by the AFP news agency.
Salaou Barmou attributed this decision to the need to avoid surprises and ensure a pertinent response to the “threats of aggression” against Niger.
On July 26, a group of officers belonging to the National Council for the Safeguarding of the Fatherland (CNSP) proclaimed the dismissal of the president of Niger, Mohamed Bazoum, alleging “the continuous deterioration of the security situation” and the “bad economic and social governance”.
The next day, the Nigerien Army command proclaimed that it was joining the coup officers to avoid a bloodbath and preserve Bazoum’s physical integrity.
On July 28, it was announced that General Abdourahmane Tchiani, former commander of the presidential guard, would assume the leadership of the CNSP and the functions of ‘transitional president’ in Niger.
Numerous countries and international organizations condemned the military coup in Niger, suspended their cooperation programs with the African country, and demanded the restoration of constitutional order.
On August 6, the seven-day ultimatum that the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) gave the Nigerien military to return ousted President Bazoum to power expired.
ECOWAS ordered on August 10 to activate and deploy its reserve force for a possible military intervention in Niger, without ruling out for now the option of a political settlement.
Yesterday, Tchiani announced the expulsion of the ambassadors of France, the United States, Germany, Nigeria and the Ivory Coast in the Nigerien capital.
The Nigerian Foreign Ministry specified that, given the refusal of the French ambassador Sylvain Itte to “respond” to an “invitation” for a conversation, the authorities decided to withdraw their approval, demanding that he leave the country within a maximum period of 48 hours.
The US ambassador, Kathleen FitzGibbon, also received a letter from the coup junta; the one from Nigeria, Cui Jianchun, and the ambassador of the Ivory Coast, who was called in consultation due to statements by the Ivorian president, Alassane Ouattara.
Source: Ambito
