In a joint statement, the Foreign Ministry and the Ministry of Defense cited as context “the violence against the French embassy and the closure of Niger airspace” to facilitate the departure by air of those interested in doing so.

They also specified that the evacuation operation took place on Tuesday and Wednesday with French military aircraft.

According to the sources, a total of 50 different nationalities from all five continents left Niger.

Tensions escalated in recent days between Paris and Niamey, where the military junta in power since last Wednesday accused France of preparing a military intervention.

The government of President Emmanuel Macron threatened an “immediate and intractable” response if its interests are attacked in Niger, the scene of protests against the French presence.

The European country benefits through its companies from uranium and gold exports from the once West African colony.

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