Niger coup plotters denounce military agreements concluded with France
The coup leaders in Niger declared on Thursday evening their rejection of several military agreements concluded with France. They also announced the “termination” of the “functions” of Niger’s ambassadors in France, the United States, Nigeria, and Togo, and warned that they would respond “immediately” in case of “aggression or attempted aggression” by ECOWAS. Follow our live updates on the situation in Niger.
3:02 am: Deposed Nigerien President Mohamed Bazoum describes himself as a hostage
Deposed Nigerien President Mohamed Bazoum stated in an op-ed published on Thursday by The Washington Post that he is being held hostage and called on the United States and the international community as a whole to restore constitutional order in the West African country.
Mohamed Bazoum has been confined to the presidential palace in Niamey since the army staged a coup last week, with the head of the presidential guard assuming the role of leader.
This seventh coup d’état in Central and West Africa in three years “will have devastating consequences for our country, our region, and the entire world” if it materializes, wrote the democratically elected president. “This coup attempt, launched against the government by a faction of the military, has no justification,” he added in the op-ed.
1:29 am: Coup leaders will respond “immediately” to “any aggression” from ECOWAS
The coup leaders in Niger announced that they will respond “immediately” in case of “aggression or attempted aggression” against their country by the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), three days before the organization’s ultimatum for a return to constitutional order expires.
“As ECOWAS is impersonal, any aggression or attempted aggression against the State of Niger will result in an immediate and unannounced response from the Nigerien Defense and Security Forces towards one of its members, with the exception of suspended friendly countries,” said one of the coup leaders, referring to Burkina Faso and Mali.
1:18 am: Coup leaders recall Niger’s ambassadors from four countries
Military personnel responsible for a coup in Niger announced on Thursday evening the “termination” of the “functions” of Niger’s ambassadors in France, the United States, Nigeria, and Togo, in a statement read on national television, at a time when pressure to restore constitutional order is mounting internationally.
“The extraordinary and plenipotentiary ambassadors of the Republic of Niger […] to the French Republic,” “Nigeria,” “the Republic of Togo,” and “the United States” will be terminated, said one of the coup leaders.
12:34 am: Coup leaders denounce military agreements concluded with France
The coup leaders in Niger declared on Thursday evening their rejection of several military agreements concluded with France, which concern the “stationing” of the French detachment and the “status” of the military personnel present within the framework of the fight against jihadism, in a statement read on national television.
“Given the cavalier attitude and reaction of France regarding the situation” in Niger, “the National Council for the Safeguard of the Republic (CNSP, military in power), decides to denounce the cooperative agreements in the domain of security and defense with this State,” said one of the coup leaders.
Key events of August 3rd
A delegation of officials from the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has arrived in Niamey for negotiations with the military who seized power during the coup. The President of Nigeria calls on ECOWAS to “do everything” for an “amicable” resolution.
Thousands of protesters gathered in Niamey to mark the country’s 63rd Independence Day.
AFP
