International Link

Why attempted coup in Niger could worry France

Niger is France's only remaining ally in the Sahel region of Northern Africa.

La rédaction de Mediapart

This article is freely available.

Paris says it's concerned by the military coup in Niger – its only remaining ally in the Sahel region. While a political vacuum could be dangerous, any potential impact on France's economic and military interests will take longer to emerge, reports RFI.

France has joined other Western and regional leaders in condemning the attempted coup, which began on Wednesday when Niger’s presidential guard barricaded pro-western President Mohamed Bazoum in his residence.

Speaking for the soldiers, Colonel Amadou Abdramane said defence and security forces had decided to “put an end to the regime due to the deteriorating security situation and bad governance”.

France's foreign minister Catherine Colonna has condemned “any attempt at taking power through force”, joining both Ecowas and the African Union in calling for a return to democratic order.

Read more of this report from RFI.