France Evacuates Nationals from Niger Following Coup Attempt

The French Ministry of Foreign Affairs is evacuating its nationals from Niger in West Africa, where a coup d'?tat has occurred.

[Image source=Yonhap News]

On the 1st (local time), the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced in a statement that it made this decision considering the violent incidents at the French embassy in Niamey, the capital of Niger, and the closure of its airspace.

Earlier, on the 26th of last month, a military faction led by Abdourahmane Tiani, the head of the presidential guard of President Mohamed Bazoum, staged a coup and detained President Bazoum. Subsequently, thousands of protesters supporting the military faction marched through Niamey and attacked the French embassy.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs explained that it is preparing to evacuate not only French nationals but also European nationals wishing to leave Niger, and that the evacuation will begin from this day.

Niger is one of France's former colonies. According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs' 2022 statistics, fewer than 1,200 French nationals currently reside in Niger.

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