Following the French Ambassador’s refusal to leave the country within a 48-hour period, rumors emerged indicating that the coup leaders had cut off water and electricity to the French Embassy in Niamey. This false information spread widely on social media.
In Niger, a rumor originated from a statement by a support group for the National Council for the Safeguarding of the Nation (CNPS), which was behind the July coup, demanding that the French Embassy and the French consulates in Zinder and Niamey be deprived of water and electricity. This statement followed the French ambassador’s refusal to leave the country within a 48-hour deadline. However, this request did not come into effect.
In reality, there was no water or electricity cutoff at the French Embassy in Niamey, according to a denial from a diplomatic source contacted by the French media outlet TF1info on Monday, August 28. Despite the protests that took place over the weekend in the capital, the embassy was not targeted and remains operational at this time, according to the same source close to the matter.
According to AlArabiya, the circulation around the French Embassy in Niamey on August 28 is normal. The Nigerien security personnel are present, and employees can enter and exit the embassy without any issues, as reported in a video by the Saudi news channel filmed in front of the embassy.
Thousands of people supportive of the coup staged demonstrations on Sunday near the French military base in Niamey, holding signs demanding, among other things, the departure of French troops. However, France maintains a strong stance, asserting that it does not recognize the military regime.
“The coup leaders have no authority” to demand the departure of the ambassador, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced on Friday evening. Paris also supports the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) in any action to restore constitutional order in Niger.
