France refused to withdraw troops from Niger at the request of the authorities

France desperately tried to jump into the African train leaving her. If you believe the statement of the new authorities of the Republic of Niger, the war there nevertheless began, and in two directions at once: in the form of a ground special operation and an air strike. The National Council for the Defense of the Motherland claims that they were attacked by French forces or units hired by Paris. It is clear that the Europeans do not want to just let the country, which is in seventh place in the world in the production of uranium fuel for nuclear power plants, go on its own. Correspondent Ismail Moussa reports from Niamey.

The military of the Republic of Niger, which is now the only de facto power in the country, said that their state was under attack, and explained that the country was attacked by French troops who violated the border of Niger, and who were supported by some local militants.

“This morning, the positions of the Niger National Guard were attacked. There are losses among the military. French-supported terrorist demonstrations took place in three areas. In addition, at six in the morning, a French military aircraft flying from the Republic of Chad violated the country’s airspace. It did not respond to attempts to contact him and only returned at 11. France is clearly trying to discredit the national council and make the people feel that we are not in control of the situation “– Colonel of the armed forces of Niger, spokesman for the National Council for the Protection of the Motherland, Amadou Abdraman, delivered a speech.

Judging by what the French press writes, special forces from the “Fifth Republic” tried to release officials from the previous administration. But this is where the differences begin. Journalists from France write that the operation was successful, the press of Niger – that no one managed to escape. The French Foreign Ministry generally denies that it has anything to do with these events.

A new round of aggravation around Niger was expected starting from Sunday. Just then, the ultimatum put forward by the ECOWAS bloc expired – this is the economic community of West African countries. The demand was to return power to former President Mohamed Bazum and restore constitutional order. The rebels of Niger ignored the ultimatum, a mass rally was held in the capital in support of the new leadership.

By the way, today for the first time it showed these shots with the overthrown head of state. Surrounded by the military, Bazum takes a walk in the presidential palace, moreover, with a phone in his hand. Probably, first of all, this video is intended for the Americans, who recently stated that the politician must definitely stay alive, and threatened that if he died, Niger would lose financial support. The people of Niger are already preparing for the worst. They declared that they were not afraid of anyone: be it their neighbors from ECOWAS or the French military.

“We must stand guard and show ECOWAS that we are ready to defend our country. Let them only try to touch the national council, we will meet them face to face”– said a resident of Niger, Abdul Nasser Maiduka.

“We are here on a picket, on watch. We strongly support the council for the defense of the homeland. If ECOWAS or anyone else attacks, he will have to walk over our corpses.”– said the participant of the Niger picket Rainatu Hamani.

“We will fight for the independence of our country and demand that there be no foreign military bases here, including French ones,” – stressed Adbul Wahab Sumana.

The French base is located right in the metropolitan district of Niamey, there are stationed one and a half thousand soldiers. The French authorities once again announced today that they are not going to withdraw their troops from the territory of the republic. As for plans for intervention, official Paris is silent about this for now, but has published just such a map. Most of French-speaking Africa is marked in red. The diplomatic department says that now it is undesirable to go there.

And already on Thursday, the members of the ECOWAS bloc are going to an emergency meeting where they will decide what to do with Niger. The armed forces of Niger are also preparing – they have received an order to increase the level of military threat.