|
LISTEN TO THIS THE AFRICANA VOICE ARTICLE NOW
Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...
|
France and US Evacuate Citizens from Niger, as World Pile Sanctions on Junta
France Tuesday started to evacuate its citizens from Niger following last week’s coup, which has prompted anti-French protests. The French foreign ministry said the evacuations would also include other European nationals.
The protests against France have been fueled by the closure of Niger’s airspace, which has made it impossible for French citizens to leave by their own means. The protests have also been encouraged by the juntas in Burkina Faso and Mali, which have warned that any forcible attempt to restore the ousted president of Niger would be seen as a declaration of war.
The United States Wednesday joined in the evacuation missions, and started by evacuating its embassy staff in Niamey. US Secretary of State Antony Blinken spoke to the ousted President, Mohamed Bazoum, on Wednesday, adding that the US is committed to the restoration of Niger’s democratically elected government.
The United States, a major donor of humanitarian and security aid to Niger, has warned that the coup could lead to the suspension of all cooperation. The British embassy in Niger’s capital, Niamey, has also announced that it will reduce staff numbers due to the security situation. France and the European Union have already suspended financial and development aid.
The Economic Community of West African States (Ecowas), a trade bloc of 15 West African countries, has imposed sanctions on Niger. These sanctions include a halt on all commercial transactions with Niger and a freeze on the country’s assets in the regional central bank. Niger’s electricity company also says that neighboring Nigeria has cut electricity supplies, leading to widespread power cuts.
In a televised address on Wednesday, Gen. Tchiani said the new regime rejected the sanctions “as a whole” and refused to give in to any threat. He labeled the sanctions “cynical and iniquitous” and said they were intended to “humiliate” Niger’s security forces and make the country “ungovernable.”
Niger, which is rich in uranium, has been a key Western ally in the fight against jihadist extremism in the Sahel. However, the coup has raised concerns that France’s influence in the region is waning. Coup leader Gen Abdourahamane Tchiani has warned against “any interference in the internal affairs” of the country.
The French foreign minister, Catherine Colonna, has denied that France is planning military intervention in Niger. However, she has acknowledged that the coup could be an opportunity for Russia, which has been welcomed by the shadowy Wagner group.
France, the former colonial power in Niger, has asked the military junta which has taken control of the country to guarantee the security of their embassy. Protests in support of the coup took place on Thursday to mark Niger’s independence day, despite an official ban on demonstrations.
The coup in Niger is the latest in a series of military takeovers in West Africa. In recent years, Burkina Faso, Mali, and Guinea have all seen their democratically elected governments overthrown by military juntas.
Niger Junta Accuses France of Planning Strikes to Free Detained President
The military junta that seized power in Niger last week Monday accused France of planning to free detained President Mohamed Bazoum and reinstate his toppled government.
France’s foreign ministry did not confirm or deny the accusation, but said Paris recognized only Bazoum as the legitimate authority in Niger and was focused on protecting its own citizens and interests there.
The African Union, the United Nations, and other powers, including France, have condemned the junta’s move to oust Niger’s elected government.
The report of French plans came a day after West African regional bloc ECOWAS imposed sanctions on the junta and said it could authorize force to reinstate Bazoum, who was locked in his palace by members of his guard on Wednesday.
Chadian President Mahamat Idriss Deby flew to Niger over the weekend to try to mediate, and early on Monday posted what appeared to be the first images of Bazoum since the takeover, showing him smiling and apparently unharmed.
Deby said he had met Bazoum and coup leader General Abdourahamane Tiani to explore ways “to find a peaceful solution,” without going into further detail.
In an address on state television, Colonel Amadou Abdramane, one of the coup plotters, said the ousted government had authorized France to carry out strikes on the presidency through a statement signed by Bazoum’s foreign minister, Hassoumi Massoudou, acting as prime minister.
The junta has previously warned against foreign attempts to extract Bazoum, saying it would result in bloodshed and chaos.
Senegal Restricts Internet Access Amid Political Turmoil
The government of Senegal Monday restricted access to internet services due to the spread of “hateful messages” on social media. The announcement came after opposition leader Ousmane Sonko was charged on Saturday with plotting an insurrection, criminal conspiracy, and other offenses.
Sonko’s followers have been angered by the prospect that his conviction could bar him from standing in next year’s presidential election. In recent days, there have been widespread protests in Senegal, some of which have turned violent.
The communications minister, Moussa Bocar Thiam, said in a statement that “telephone operators are required to comply with the notified requirements.” This means that internet service providers will be required to block access to certain websites and social media platforms.
The government’s decision to restrict internet access has been met with criticism from some human rights groups. They argue that the move is a violation of freedom of expression. However, the government has defended its decision, saying that it is necessary to prevent the spread of violence. It is unclear how long the internet restrictions will last. However, the government has said that they will be lifted “once the situation normalizes.”
LEAVE A COMMENT
You must be logged in to post a comment.