Niger rebels denounce military agreements with France

The military of Niger, who overthrew the constitutional government in the country on July 27, denounced military agreements with France. About this with reference to their statement writes Reuters.

Agreements between the European and African countries were concluded from 1977 to 2020. The withdrawal of five such agreements was announced by the official representative of the National Council for the Salvation of the Motherland (CNSP), created by the rebels, Colonel Amadou Abdraman.

According to the agency, there are 1,000-1,500 French troops in Niger. They are involved in the fight against terrorist groups.

On July 31, CNSP spokesman Abdraman announced that France was preparing a military operation to free the ousted President of Niger, Mohamed Bazum. According to him, France allegedly “with the assistance of some Nigerians” held a meeting at the General Staff of the National Guard of Niger “to obtain the necessary political and military permits.”

Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic Catherine Colonna reportedthat France rejects the rebels’ statement and noted that Paris’s only priority is the safety of its citizens.

On the night of July 27, the Niger military announced the removal of President Mohamed Bazum and the closure of the country’s borders. At the same time, a nationwide curfew was announced, and the activities of all institutions of the republic were suspended. The rebels allegedly explained their actions by the deterioration of security, economic and social problems.

The UN later called on the participants in the rebellion to release the country’s democratically elected president. The situation in the African state caused the Kremlin “serious concern.” According to the press secretary of the President of the Russian Federation Dmitry Peskov, Moscow stands for the speedy restoration of the rule of law in the country and for “restraint on all sides so that this does not lead to human casualties.” “And we, of course, want Niger to return to the constitutional track as soon as possible and continue to solve the huge tasks that stand in the way of the development of this country,” he said.