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France Withdraws Ambassador and Military from Niger After Coup
Emmanuel Macron, the president of France, Sunday announced that France will withdraw its ambassador and end all military cooperation with Niger following the July coup.
This move comes after months of animosity and protests against the French presence in its former colony, with regular demonstrations in the capital Niamey. Macron said that France would “not be held hostage by the putschists” and that he still regarded ousted Niger President Mohamed Bazoum, currently held prisoner by the coup leaders, as the country’s “sole legitimate authority.” He described the deposed president as a “hostage.”
The decision by Paris follows months of animosity and protests against the French presence in its former colony, with regular demonstrations in the capital Niamey. The move deals a hammer blow to France’s operations against jihadists in the wider Sahel region and Paris’ influence there. There are about 1,500 French soldiers in the landlocked West African country helping to fight Islamist militants. The US also has more than 1,000 troops in Niger but these have not been asked to leave.
Niger is one of several former French colonies in West and Central Africa where the military has recently seized control – it follows Burkina Faso, Guinea, Mali and Chad. The latest coup was in Gabon in August. Anti-French vitriol has flourished in the region in recent years, with many local politicians accusing Paris of carrying out neocolonialist policies – a charge denied by France.
There have also been concerns in the West over the growing role in the Sahel of Russia’s Wagner mercenary group. It is accused of human rights abuses and has been helping some new military regimes. The regional Economic Community of West African States (Ecowas), supported by France, has threatened military intervention in Niger to reinstate Mr Bazoum. But so far it has not acted.
Libya Floods: Derna Mayor Arrested in Connection With the Disaster
The mayor of Derna, a Libyan city devastated by intense flooding earlier this month, was Monday arrested in connection with the disaster. Abdulmenam al-Ghaithi is among numerous officials charged with mismanagement and neglect that led to the deaths of thousands and caused economic losses for Libya.
Last week, angry Derna residents burned the mayor’s house in protest. The office of the attorney general, based in the capital Tripoli, said on Monday that the officials were “responsible for managing the country’s dam facilities” and therefore it had launched a criminal case against them.
Some of the officials, including Mr al-Ghaithi, have already been detained prior to the trial. In a statement on Monday, the attorney general’s office accused the officials of numerous failings, such as mismanaging funds meant to maintain the dams that burst and caused the floods in Derna.
His office also said that the officials had shown neglect by failing to take precautions, leading to flood-related deaths and economic losses for Libya. Mr al-Ghaithi has further been accused of abusing his authority.
Libya is divided into two, rival administrations – one in the east and one in the west. As the attorney general is based in Tripoli, in the west, it is not clear to what extent he can order arrests in the east.
On Sunday, the eastern government said that the number of confirmed deaths from the floods had reached 3,868.
The attorney general’s office said that investigations into other officials were ongoing and there could be more arrests.
The US Cuts Funding To Gabon After Military Coup
The United States Tuesday announced it will freeze its aid to Gabon after the military ousted President Ali Bongo Ondimba in a coup last month.
“We’re putting a hold on some foreign aid programs to Gabon while we figure out what’s going on,” said US Secretary of State Antony Blinken in a statement. “The military’s unconstitutional intervention is not something we take lightly.”
The move is in line with actions taken by other international partners, including the African Union and the Economic Community of Central African States, which have both suspended Gabon’s membership.
The US State Department said the suspension of aid will remain in place “while we review the facts on the ground.” However, diplomatic and consular operations in the country will continue.
On August 30, Gabonese soldiers overthrew Bongo, who had been in power since 2009. Bongo succeeded his father, Omar Bongo Ondimba, who ruled Gabon for over 40 years.
A junta-appointed prime minister has said that the country will hold fresh elections within the next two years.
Gabon is a relatively wealthy country, but it relies on foreign aid for a number of important programs, including healthcare, education, and infrastructure development. The suspension of US aid could have a significant impact on the country’s economy and its people.
The junta has said that it is committed to holding free and fair elections in the near future. However, it remains to be seen whether they will keep their word.
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