Key takeaways
- The ECOWAS deadline has expired.
- Niger closes its airspace.
- Algeria repeatedly opposed any military intervention.
- Chad confirmed it would not intervene militarily.
- ECOWAS is reportedly drafting military intervention plans.
- France issue 'code red' travel advisories.
- France, United States, Spain and United Kingdom evacuate its nationals.
- Nigeria Senate rejects Bola Tinubu's military resolution.
- On Sunday, more than 30, 000 Nigeriens joined a pro-junta demonstration in Niamey.
Here's what to know about the Niger Crisis
On 26 July 2023, a coup d'état occurred in Niger, in which the country's presidential guard detained president Mohamed Bazoum, and presidential guard commander general Abdourahamane Tchiani proclaimed himself the leader of a new military junta.
In response, on 30 July 2023, the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) gave Niger's coup leaders a one-week deadline to hand power back to Bazoum or face international sanctions and use of force.
The deadline expired on 6 August 2023. ECOWAS is yet to give directions on its next move. Previously, ECOWAS has intervened in The Gambia to restore democracy following the 2016–2017 constitutional crisis.
The political situation in ECOWAS bloc following the coup in Niger is deadlock. Some member states support the Nigerien coup; while others like Nigeria opposes the coup.
On 1 August, the French foreign ministry announced that it was preparing to evacuate its citizens and that of other European nationals starting that day, citing the unrest in Niamey, the attack on its embassy, and the closure of Niger's airspace.
The Spanish Defence Ministry said it would evacuate more than 70 Spaniards in Niger by air.
On 2 August, the first evacuation flights were carried out. An Italian military plane carried 87 evacuees from Niger and landed in Rome, while 262 evacuees arrived on a French evacuation flight in Paris. In total, 1,079 people were evacuated by France.
The US State Department ordered the evacuation of non-emergency government personnel and eligible family members from its Embassy, which would remain open for "limited, emergency services to U.S. citizens." The United Kingdom also ordered a reduction of staff at its embassy.
In response to the evacuations, the M62 movement called for a peaceful blockade of Niamey Airport until foreign military forces left the country.
On August 6, the one-week deadline for the military junta to hand power back to Bazoum or face military intervention expired without ECOWAS carrying out its threat.
In Niamey, around 30,000 people joined a pro-junta demonstration at Stade Général Seyni Kountché on Sunday, which was also attended by junta member General Mohamed Toumba.
Niger has called on citizens to get ready to defend the homeland.
Algerian president Abdelmadjid Tebboune expressed his opposition to any military intervention, stating "A military intervention could ignite the whole Sahel region and Algeria will not use force with its neighbours".
The junta gave France 30 days to vacate Niger, in accordance with the 1977 Agreement of Technical Military Cooperation. It also closed the country's airspace again, citing the threat of military intervention.
On August 5, reports emerged that the junta, through General Salifou Mody, had formally asked for assistance from the Russian Wagner Group during his visit to Mali. On the same day, sources report that Wagner Group instructors and security specialists have arrived in the capital of Niger, Niamey, from Mali.
After meeting with Bazoum's Prime Minister Ouhoumoudou Mahamadou in Paris, French Foreign Minister Catherine Colonna announced the country's support for an ECOWAS intervention in Niger, without specifying whether it would provide military support.
The Nigerian Senate rejected President Tinubu's request to authorize military intervention in Niger and instead urged him to resolve the crisis by more diplomatic means.
However, the Constitution of Nigeria still permits the President to deploy troops abroad without Senate approval if the President believes the national security is under "imminent threat or danger".
Chad announced that it would not participate in an ECOWAS-led military intervention against the Junta.
The United States, France and other European countries have been involved in Niger because of the Islamist insurgency in the Sahel, which in turn triggered the Jihadist insurgency in Niger led by Al-Qaeda, Islamic State and Boko Haram.
The USA, France, and Turkey have had bases in the country. In 2022 it became a hub of French anti-terror operations after its departure from Mali and Burkina Faso following a series of military coups and anti-French sentiment which paved the way for Russian influence and the entry of its private mercenary firm Wagner Group in the region.
We shall update this Niger Crisis as soon as new information is available.
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