Niger military leader accuses France of ‘blatant interference’ as protesters rally in Niamey 

Niger’s military junta has accused Paris of “blatant interference” by declaring open support for the country’s ousted president, Mohamed Bazoum.

This came after supporters of the military officers rallied near a French base outside the capital Niamey, demanding for the expulsion of around 1,500 French troops stationed in the country.

Comments in support of Bazoum by French President Emmanuel Macron “constitute further blatant interference in Niger’s domestic affairs,” regime spokesperson Colonel Amadou Abdramane said in a statement read on national television.

Abdramane streesed that, “Mr. Macron’s comments and his unceasing efforts in favour of an invasion of Niger aim at perpetuating a neocolonial operation against the Nigerien people, who ask for nothing more than to decide its own destiny for itself.”

Abdramane said Niger’s “differences” with France “do not touch on the relationship between our peoples, or on individuals, but on the relevance of the French military presence in Niger.”

Last week, Macron said, “I call on all the states in the region to adopt a responsible policy.”

France, he emphasised, “supports (ECOWAS’) diplomatic action and, when it so decides, (its) military” action, he said, describing this as “a partnership approach.”

President Mohamed Bazoum, a French loyalist whose election in 2021 had raised hopes of calm in the volatile country, was detained by the junta since July 26.

The United Nations, African Union, ECOWAS and other members of the international community have demanded for his release.

The regional ECOWAS bloc vowed to continue to dialogue with the junta while saying that military option is still an option to end the coup in Niger.