WAR TALK

Niger accuses Paris of invasion plan as Macron rejects calls for French withdrawal

By AFP, Benjamin Roger

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Posted on September 11, 2023 11:56

A soldier from the French Gendarmerie’s Special Intervention Unit (USIGN) in front of an NH90 Caiman helicopter at the Ouallam military base, Niger, on 15 July 2022. BERTRAND GUAY/AFP
A soldier from the French Gendarmerie’s Special Intervention Unit (USIGN) in front of an NH90 Caiman helicopter at the Ouallam military base, Niger, on 15 July 2022. BERTRAND GUAY/AFP

Over the weekend, Niger accused France of amassing military forces in several West African countries, as relations between Niamey and Paris plunge further into the abyss.

Junta spokesman Colonel Major Amadou Abdramane accused Paris of preparing an attack against Niger in collaboration with the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).

Last month the bloc had said it would use all measures, including military force, to reverse the 26 July putsch which overthrew President Mohamed Bazoum.

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