Lagos, Aug. 5, 2023 – France has refused to accept the announcement by the military junta in Niger Republic to severe the two countries’ official relations.
The coup leaders in Niger Republic, led by Gen. Abdourahamane Tchiani, had on Thursday, announced severance of diplomatic relations with France and ECOWAS countries due to their refusal to recognise the government.
But France said it was not favourably disposed to the severance of the relationship because the current government in Niger Republic is illegal.
“The legal framework of France’s defence agreement with Niger is based on accords that were signed with the legitimate Nigerien authorities,” the French foreign ministry said after the junta in Niamey said it was cancelling military cooperation agreements with Paris.
According to AFP, the news came after a team from west African bloc Ecowas left Niger on Friday without meeting the country’s junta leader, Abdourahamane Tchiani.
The ECOWAS delegation arrived in the capital on Thursday “but did not spend the night” as scheduled, nor meet with General Tchiani or ousted President Mohamed Bazoum.
Nigeria, which holds the rotating presidency of Ecowas, has imposed sanctions on Niger on Sunday and gave the coup leaders a week to restore Bazoum to power or risk possible armed intervention.
However, Nigeria’s President Bola Tinubu said the bloc would do its best to resolve the crisis amicably, but Ecowas said it could use military force as a last resort. (AFP)
