France is prepared to back ECOWAS’ military intervention in Niger – Macron

The French president is adamant that Paris will continue to denounce the coup and back Bazoum, who is still Niamey’s lawful leader.

According to French President Emmanuel Macron, Paris will support any military action taken by the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) in Niger to reinstate the authority of expelled leader Mohamed Bazoum.

Macron made the remark in response to the new military administration, which seized control in a coup last month, expelling French Ambassador Sylvain Itte from Niamey.

The envoy was given 48 hours to leave the country, according to the Nigerien Foreign Ministry, for refusing to meet with the country’s new military authorities and for “other actions of the French Government contrary to the interests of Niger.”

On Monday, Macron said in a speech discussing French foreign policy to diplomats in Paris that the ambassador will stay in Niger despite the order of the coup leaders.

He continued, “I appreciate your colleague and your colleagues who are listening from their postings. France and its diplomats have had exceptionally tough situations in several countries in recent months, from Sudan, where France has been exemplary, to Niger right now.

The leaders of the Niger coup have been negotiating with the West African regional organisation ECOWAS, but they have been told that if diplomatic attempts fail, troops would be sent to Niamey to restore democracy.

On Monday, Macron praised Bazoum’s “courageous” decision to remain in office, which has kept him under house arrest since the July 26 coup.

The French president reiterated that France will not budge from its position of denouncing the coup and backing Bazoum and emphasised that the overthrown leader had been democratically elected.

“I believe that our policy is sound. It is based on the fortitude of President Bazoum and the dedication of our ambassador there, who has remained despite all the pressure and all the declarations made by the illegitimate authorities, according to Macron.

In the meantime, hundreds of pro-military demonstrators allegedly gathered on Saturday near a French military post in the nation’s capital, Niamey, to demand the soldiers’ evacuation and denounce Paris for interfering with internal affairs.

France’s final ally in the Sahel region in the war against Islamic insurgencies still maintains 1,500 soldiers stationed in its former territory.

Five military accords with France were cancelled by Niger’s new leaders earlier this month. Paris insisted, nevertheless, that the collaboration contracts be carried out because they were signed with the nation’s “legitimate authorities.”