France‘s defense minister has voiced concerns about the coup in Niger, stating that it will have detrimental effects on the fight against resurgent terror groups in the Sahel region of Africa.
The minister further accused the country’s junta of holding both President Mohamed Bazoum and the entire nation hostage.
In an AFP interview, French Armed Forces Minister Sebastien Lecornu commended the ‘resolute’ actions undertaken by the regional West African group ECOWAS.
The group has set a deadline for the junta to restore democratic governance, with the looming threat of military intervention if they do not meet the timeline.
France is deeply angered by the coup against Bazoum, as they have a substantial deployment of 1,500 troops in Niger.
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Niger has played a pivotal role as a hub for France’s anti-terror operations in the region. However, after consecutive coups in Mali and Burkina Faso in the last two years, France decided to withdraw its troops from those nations.
Paris has emphatically stated that it continues to recognise Bazoum as the sole legitimate leader of Niger, despite his current detention at the presidential residence in Niamey.
Lecornu, in agreement with other Western officials and observers, emphasised that the coup occurred at a precarious juncture, coinciding with the resurgence of several Islamist terror groups, such as Boko Haram, Islamic State in the Greater Sahara (ISGS), and Al-Qaeda’s local branch.
‘Not only has President Bazoum been taken hostage but also the population of Niger,’ Lecornu told AFP in the interview.
‘This putsch will weaken the fight against terrorism in the Sahel, where activity by armed terrorist groups is resurging, notably taking advantage of certain failed states like Mali.’
‘It’s an error of judgement that goes totally against the interests of the country,’ he added.
The French foreign ministry declared unwavering backing for ECOWAS’ (the Economic Community of West African States) efforts to counteract the coup. Lecornu underlined that the 15-nation bloc was demonstrating its significance as the deadline approached.