Junta that seized power claims Paris is aiming to reinstate deposed president as regional tensions grow

The military junta that seized power in Niger has accused France of plotting military intervention to reinstate the deposed president, Mohamed Bazoum, as tensions in the region continued to grow in the wake of the coup.

The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has given the junta a week to give back power, warning in a statement that if Bazoum was not reinstated it would take “all measures” to restore constitutional order, which “may include the use of force”.

The writer and analyst Seidik Abba told France Inter that the broader problem for Paris was that the poor results of its military and security drive against jihadists had made France a scapegoat. He said the strategy in the Sahel had been a security and military one, when in fact “it wasn’t just a security and military issue, it was also a question of development, justice and governance”.

    • Riddick3001@lemmy.worldOPEnglish
      3·
      1 year ago

      “with a pinch of salt”

      or a bucket of salt, in this case.

      Anyone can accuse anyone; doesn’t mean much, especially when the one saying it is the coupleader.

      Not sure whether France will do much; they seem very reluctant according to the article. France has also their own domestic isuues now. It would rather appear that the AU (African Union) and the Ecowas will take action.

      Also, it was The African Union and Ecowas that has issued a 15-day ultimatum to the junta in Niger

      FYI: Ecowas also serves as a peacekeeping force in the region, with member states occasionally sending joint military forces to intervene in the bloc’s member countries at times of political instability and unrest

    • livus@kbin.social
      21·
      1 year ago

      ECOWAS have already sent Patrice Talon there to try the diplomatic route.

      It would be way better if it can be handled that way.

      But it’s worth noting France and the US - and Russia/Wagner for that matter, in Mali - don’t have boots on the ground in the Sahel region out of the humanitarian kindness of their hearts.

      It is about safeguarding mineral wealth.

    • AngrilyEatingMuffins@kbin.social
      14·
      1 year ago

      At the same time would anyone be surprised? Macron has been pretty explicitly on the side of turning France back into a proper neocolonial power.