Niger Coup: France begins evacuation of citizens Tuesday

PLACE YOUR ADVERT HERE

The foreign ministry said France will evaluate Franch and European citizenship from Niger on Tuesday after a coup last week toppled the country’s pro-Western leader.

The decision to move citizens out was prompted by attacks on the French embassy in Niamey, and the closure of Niger’s airspace which made regular departures impossible.

The foreign ministry in a statement said, “Considering the situation in Niamey, the violence against our embassy the day before yesterday and the fact that the air space is shut and our citizens cannot leave by their own means, France is preparing the evacuation of its citizens and (other) European citizens who want to leave the country. The evacuation will start today,” it added.

There are an estimated 600 French nationals in Niger, not counting visiting tourists or French residents currently outside the country.

The foreign ministry said France was also offering to evacuate other European nationals.

The French government convened a ministerial meeting Tuesday to decide on the exact modalities of the evacuation.

A source close to the operation told AFP said France was planning on using military personnel transport planes.

Niger President Mohamed Bazoum was detained by his own presidential guard in a third coup in as many years in the Sahel, following putsches in neighbouring fellow former French colonies of Mali and Burkina Faso.

France and the United States have between them deployed 2,600 soldiers in Niger to battle jihadists.

Niger’s junta on Monday accused France of seeking to “intervene militarily” to reinstate Bazoum, which French Foreign Minister Catherine Colonna denied.

French President Emmanuel Macron on Sunday vowed “immediate and uncompromising” action if French citizens or interests were attacked, after thousands rallied outside the French embassy in Niamey.”

AFP.

PLACE YOUR ADVERT HERE
Queen Ferry
Queen Ferry
Chinyere Treasure Ikechukwu also known as Queen Ferry, is a Nigerian business Executive, social media savvy Journalist and Content Editor with over seven years experience. She serves as the Vice-Chairman of Naijatraffic Limited. If Treasure is not researching/blogging, she will be making delicious delicacy.

Popular Related

Plateau gov lifts curfew on Jos

Caleb Mutfwang, the Plateau State Governor has declared the lifting of the curfew earlier imposed on Jos, the state capital. The governor disclosed this on...

90th Birthday: Tinubu names National Theatre after Wole Soyinka

President Bola Tinubu has renamed the National Arts Theatre in Iganmu, Lagos, after Professor Wole Soyinka. The president disclosed this in a letter he wrote to...

Lagos 5th youth assembly gets inaugurated

The fifth Assembly of the Lagos State Youth Parliament was officially inaugurated by the Lagos State Government. During the event held on Wednesday at the...

Kwara gov praises women appointees

AbdulRahman Abdulrasheed, the Kwara State Governor, said that appointed and wlected female public officers in the state have lived up to the task before...

Gombe can’t pay N70,000 minimum wage – Gov Yahaya

Inuwa Yahaya, the Gombe State Governor, said that his administration cannot afford the new national minimum wage of N70,000, with the lean allocation to...

Plateau governor unveils e-governance platform for transparency

Caleb Mutfwang, the Plateau State Governor, has disclosed an e-governance platform in the state. The e-governance platform is aimed at fostering transparent, efficient, and accountable...

A Lawsuit has been filed against Nigerian Army by okuama vilagers

The Okuama village in Ughelli North Local Government Area filed a N100 billion lawsuit against the Nigeria Army on Thursday, alleging the military assault...

Five injured in Jigawa farmers, herders’ clash

No fewer than five people were injured in a farmer-herdsmen clash at Hayin Kogi forest in Birnin Kudu Local Government Area of Jigawa State. This...

Naval chief extends operation against oil thieves by 90 days

Vice Admiral Emmanuel Ogalla, the Chief of Naval Staff, has extended the Nigerian Navy’s Operation Delta Sanity by 90 days. The operation was launched on...

Atiku Was Confident And God Was Laughing – Obasanjo

Former Nigerian President, Chief Olusegun Matthew Okikiola Ogunboye Aremu Obasanjo, has Stated that Atiku Abubakar, Who also served as Vice President during his tenure...