The National Council for the Salvation of the Homeland (the temporary government of Niger) has announced that the withdrawal of French troops from the country will commence on October 10th. This development was reported by TASS, citing Agence France-Presse (AFP). Further details regarding the withdrawal are currently unknown.
Earlier, Al Jazeera, citing sources, reported that France would begin the withdrawal of its troops from Niger on Monday, October 9th. The military in Niger had previously accused France of deploying forces in Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) countries for intervention. According to AFP, Paris is considering intervention in collaboration with this organization. The military stated that France has deployed a military contingent in Côte d’Ivoire, Senegal, Benin, and other ECOWAS countries.
It was also reported that the court in Niger’s capital, Niamey, had decided to immediately release the son of the deposed president, Saloum Mohamed Bazoum, on the grounds that the authorities exceeded their powers by detaining him.
On the morning of July 26th, the presidential guard of Niger detained President Mohamed Bazoum in his residence in the country’s capital, Niamey. The presidential guard blocked access to Bazoum’s residence and refused negotiators’ request to release him. It was reported that the rebels were forcing the president to sign a document of resignation, but he refused. The functioning of all institutions in Niger was suspended, and the country’s borders were closed. According to media reports, the reason for the rebellion was President Niger’s proposal to dismiss General Omar Tchiani, the commander of the presidential guard.
Earlier, the leader of the rebels predicted widespread bloodshed in Niger in the event of foreign intervention.
