Niger and France have been involved in a trial of strength since the head of Niger’s presidential guard, General Abdourahamane Tiani, overthrew President Mohamed Bazoum in a bloodless coup d’Etat on July 26.

We reiterate our solidarity with France on the situation of its ambassador on the ground and with President Bazoum,” High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Josep Borrell told reporters in New York.

One of the first measures adopted by the Nigerien military force was to break off the agreements with France and request the ambassador’s withdrawal and the French contingent deployed in the country after their expulsion from Mali, where a transitional military cabinet is also in place.

French President Emmanuel Macron refused to comply with the decisions and rejected the measures, described as null, after being decreed by authorities that his Government considers illegitimate.

Meanwhile, the military operation of the Economic Commission of West African Countries to reinstate President Bazoum, rejected by Algeria and Chad and condemned by Guinea, Mali, and Burkina Faso, remains on hold.

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