As demanded by the junta that overthrew the government in July, tens of thousands of protesters rallied in Niger on Sunday for a third day. They demanded that former colonial power France evacuate its soldiers.
“I reject France! The protesters chanted, “France get out,” replicating phrases used at previous rallies in Niamey following the July 26 coup d’état.
France was the target of a fresh verbal salvo from the military government in Niger on Friday, which accused Paris of “blatant interference” by supporting the nation’s deposed president.
Since then, tens of thousands of individuals have joined the demonstration at a roundabout near the military facility in Niger where French soldiers are stationed.
After Paris supported deposed president Mohamed Bazoum, relations with France, the nation’s former colonial power and ally in the fight against jihadism, quickly deteriorated.
The dictatorship stated on August 3 that it was ending its military contracts with France, which has 1,500 soldiers stationed there.
The military rulers of Niger have also declared the “expulsion” of Sylvain Itte, the French ambassador, and said they are taking away his diplomatic immunity. They said that his presence threatened the peace in the community.
However, on Monday, French President Emmanuel Macron praised Itte’s efforts in Niger and noted that he had stayed there despite being given a 48-hour deadline to do so.
On Sunday, France defended keeping its ambassador in place once more.
In an interview with the newspaper Le Monde, foreign minister Catherine Colonna stated that “He is our representative to the legitimate authorities in Niger.”
She went on to say that Paris was making sure “that he can face the pressure from the putschists in complete safety” and that “we don’t have to bow to the injunctions of a minister who has no legitimacy.”