Exemption should be enforced
Nigerian demonstrators harass French soldiers
08/27/2023 11:22 pm
France still has 1,500 soldiers in Niger. But according to the government that came to power they should leave the country soon. Without further ado, demonstrators appear in front of a French military base and attempt to attack it.
Thousands of supporters of Nigerian authorities have protested against the presence of French troops in the country before an ultimatum to expel the French ambassador expired. Demonstrators gathered near the airport in the capital Niamey on Sunday. It borders the Nigerian Army Air Force Base, which also houses a French military base.
Demonstrators waved Nigerian and Russian flags. On signs they demanded the withdrawal of French troops. “We don’t want the French army in Niger,” said demonstrator Abu Gounche. On Saturday, around 20,000 people gathered at a stadium in the capital, Niamey, to support the Nigerian rulers.
On July 26, the military overthrew the democratically elected president of Niger, Mohamed Bassoum, and seized power in that country. Former colonial power France, in line with other Western and African nations, did not recognize the new rulers.
The French ambassador remains in the country
The Nigerian Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced on Friday that French Ambassador Sylvain Itte has 48 hours to leave the country. Paris rejected the request, saying the “putschists” had no authority to do so.
Prior to the coup in Niger, France actively supported the government of President Bazoum in its fight against jihadist militants. About 1,500 French soldiers are still stationed in the country.
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