France has called on the Nigerien authorities to ensure the full security of foreign diplomatic missions, particularly the French embassy in response to the anticipated protests in Niger’s capital, Niamey. The demonstrations, scheduled for Thursday, have raised concerns about the safety of diplomatic staff and facilities.
The French Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued a statement emphasizing that the security of diplomatic premises and personnel is a legal obligation under international law, including the Vienna Convention. This call comes after a violent demonstration last Sunday, during which the French embassy in Niamey was targeted, leading the French government to initiate an evacuation operation for its citizens.
In a separate development, the United States Department of State announced a partial evacuation of non-essential government personnel and their families from its embassy in Niger. This decision comes a week after the military coup that ousted Nigerian President Mohamed Bazoum. The US State Department also raised the security alert level for Niger to level 4, advising all US citizens to reconsider travel due to the current security situation.
As a result of the increased security concerns, both the US and UK embassies have scaled back their activities in Niamey, focusing on essential operations and emergency response only.
The developments in Niger have prompted international attention, and diplomatic missions are taking proactive measures to ensure the safety and well-being of their personnel in the country. As tensions persist following the recent coup, the international community closely monitors the situation to prevent any further escalation of violence and unrest.