On Sunday, thousands of protestors in Niger carried a third day of rallies demanding for former colonial ruler France to remove its troops, as sought by the junta which took control in July.
“Down with France! France gets out,” the protestors chanted, reiterating slogans listened to at different protests in Niamey since the coup d’etat on July 26.
Niger’s military power had released a new verbal broadside at Paris on Friday, blaming France of “blatant interference” by supporting the nation’s ousted president.
Since then, tens of thousands of people have merged in the rally at a roundabout, close to the Niger military base where French troopers are deployed.
Ties with France, the nation’s former colonial control and supporter in its battle against extremism, drove swiftly downhill after Paris backed ousted president Mohamed Bazoum.
On August 3, the authority declared the scrapping of military deals with France, which has about 1,500 troopers deployed in the nation.
Niger’s military rulers have also declared the “removal” of the French delegate Sylvain Itte and said they are removing his diplomatic immunity. They said his existence formed a threat to public order.
But last Monday French President Emmanuel Macron praised Itte’s job in Niger and said he stayed in the nation despite being given a 48-hour deadline to exit.
On Sunday, Paris once again explained holding its delegate in position.
In an interview with Le Monde newspaper, Foreign Minister Catherine Colonna said that he is our spokesperson to the legitimate authorities in Niger.
“We don’t have to bow to the demands of a minister who has no legitimacy”, she added, ensuring that France was assured, “that he can encounter the tension from the putschists in complete security.”
