In a statement released on Saturday, September 9, 2023, the military regime in Niger, which came to power through a coup, accused France of “deploying its forces” in several West African countries with the intention of “aggression” against Niger.
The military regime in Niger, which came to power through a coup, accused France of “deploying its forces” in several West African countries with the intention of “aggression” against Niger, in a statement read on national television on Saturday evening. “France continues to deploy its forces in several ECOWAS (Economic Community of West African States) countries as part of preparations for aggression against Niger, which it is planning in collaboration with this regional organization,” including “in Côte d’Ivoire, Senegal, and Benin,” said a member of the regime, Colonel-Major Amadou Abdramane.
After the coup on July 26, ECOWAS had threatened military intervention in Niger, which it had announced preparations for. This decision was supported by France, which has 1,500 soldiers in the Sahel country as part of the fight against jihadist groups. In early August, the ruling Nigerien generals, who want French soldiers to leave, denounced several military cooperation agreements with the former colonial power.
