On August 5, 2023, French Foreign Minister Catherine Colonna called on Niger’s junta to abandon their “reckless adventure” and restore democracy before the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) ultimatum expires on August 6. Speaking to RFI after meeting Niger’s official Prime Minister Ouhoumoudou Mahamadou in Paris, Colonna stressed that the junta, led by General Abdourahamane Tchiani, must reinstate President Mohamed Bazoum, who has been held captive in Niamey since the July 26 coup. “The international community is unanimous in condemning this attempt,” she said, underscoring global support for Niger’s elected government.
ECOWAS’s Military Contingency
ECOWAS, chaired by Nigeria, has threatened military intervention as a “last resort” if the junta fails to comply by the deadline. On August 4, ECOWAS Commissioner Abdel-Fatau Musah confirmed a contingency plan, detailing “the resources needed, and how and when we are going to deploy the force.” Colonna emphasized that France, while supportive of ECOWAS’s efforts, is not involved in planning military action. However, she urged the junta to take the threat “very seriously,” highlighting the regional bloc’s resolve to restore constitutional order in Niger, a key ally in the Sahel’s fight against jihadist insurgencies.
Anti-French Sentiment and Regional Tensions
The coup has fueled anti-French protests in Niamey, with demonstrators on August 3 chanting “Down with France” and waving Russian flags. The junta’s decision to suspend military pacts with France, which stations 1,500 troops in Niger, was rejected by Paris, with Colonna stating, “We only recognize the decisions of legitimate authorities.” Mali and Burkina Faso, both under junta rule since 2020, warned that ECOWAS intervention would be a “declaration of war,” escalating fears of regional conflict. France has halted all civil and military cooperation with Niger in response to the coup.
Crackdown on Freedoms
Colonna expressed alarm over “the repression underway” in Niger, including attacks on press freedom and arrests of senior officials, such as the mining minister and ruling party head. The junta’s suspension of France 24 and RFI broadcasts, coupled with threats to local journalists, has drawn condemnation from France and the EU. These actions mirror post-coup crackdowns in Mali and Burkina Faso, reflecting a broader rejection of French influence. “Niger elected its president democratically, and it must return to constitutional order,” Colonna insisted, echoing calls from the UN and global leaders.
A Pivotal Moment for Niger
As the ECOWAS deadline approaches, Niger faces a critical juncture. The junta’s defiance, backed by Mali and Burkina Faso, risks plunging the Sahel into further instability. With sanctions like Nigeria’s electricity cut already straining Niger’s economy, and protests signaling a shift toward Russian influence, the crisis tests regional and international resolve. Bazoum’s detention and the junta’s actions threaten Niger’s democratic progress, with Colonna warning that “there is no place for coups d’état” in a region already scarred by insurgencies and political upheaval.
