The French foreign ministry announced its commitment to backing the West African regional grouping ECOWAS in its endeavors to thwart the military coup in Niger. This statement was issued on Saturday, expressing France’s support for the efforts aimed at ensuring the coup’s failure.
On Saturday, the French Foreign Minister Catherine Colonna held meetings in Paris with Niger Prime Minister Ouhoumoudou Mahamadou and the Niger ambassador. The discussions aimed to foster diplomatic relations and address pertinent matters between France and Niger.
Minister Colonna had issued a clear ultimatum to the junta in Niamey, stating that they must return power by Sunday. In case of non-compliance, the warning from member countries of ECOWAS regarding a potential military intervention was to be treated with utmost seriousness. This situation highlighted the urgency for a swift and peaceful resolution to the political turmoil in Niger.
During her interview on French public radio, Minister Colonna affirmed the credibility of the threat posed by ECOWAS member countries. Her statement underscored the seriousness and validity of their stance regarding the situation in Niger.
France chose not to provide specific details about the extent of its support for an ECOWAS intervention in Niger, particularly concerning military assistance. The French government’s position on the matter remained ambiguous and was not elaborated upon, leaving room for further diplomatic considerations and discussions within the context of the ongoing situation.