The Aftermath of the Coup

Following the recent military coup that ousted President Mohamed Bazoum, the chiefs of staff from the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) are set to convene in Abuja, Nigeria from Wednesday to Friday. Their primary objective is to discuss the current situation in Niger. Meanwhile, the first plane carrying French and European nationals has arrived in Paris, marking the beginning of the evacuation process from Niamey, the capital of Niger.

Ensuring the Safety of Citizens

French Foreign Minister, Catherine Colonna, has confirmed that an Airbus carrying 262 individuals, including 12 infants, departed from Niamey and is expected to land at Roissy Airport in the Val-d'Oise region of France. The French Ministry of Foreign Affairs has reported that 600 French citizens have expressed their desire to leave Niger, and the evacuation efforts are expected to intensify. It is worth noting that the United States has requested the French government's assistance in evacuating a few American citizens, as the US has yet to organize any evacuation operations of its own.

Prioritizing Civilians' Safety

It is important to clarify that the evacuation does not include French military personnel stationed in Niger. The French Armed Forces General Staff has emphasized that the focus of the evacuation operations is to ensure the safety of French and European civilians. These operations commenced on Tuesday and are set to continue throughout Wednesday. The French embassy in Niger has informed its citizens about the ongoing evacuation operation due to the violence targeting the embassy and the closure of the country's airspace, which has rendered self-evacuation impossible.

Concerns for Niger's Future

The situation in Niger is causing significant worry for an association known as "Nord Niger Santé," based in Charente, France. For nearly two decades, this association has been dedicated to supporting the development of the Iférouane region, a vast city inhabited by Tuaregs in northern Niger. Dr. Serge Boutin, the president of the association, fears that if paramilitary forces gain control in Niger, the country will descend into political and health chaos, posing a real risk of famine for five million Nigeriens. Unfortunately, the association's work has been severely impacted by the cessation of Western aid to Niger.

Mixed Emotions and Continued Evacuation Efforts

Upon their arrival in Paris, French citizens expressed a mix of emotions regarding their departure from Niger. While they were relieved to be back in France and out of harm's way, they also felt a sense of sadness leaving the country behind. The French government has meticulously organized the evacuation flights, ensuring that the evacuees receive comprehensive support and assistance, including psychological aid, from various ministries in France. The evacuation of French citizens is expected to continue until midday on Wednesday, with four planes scheduled for the operation. Additionally, Italy has evacuated approximately 100 foreign nationals residing in Niger. Meanwhile, Niamey has reopened its land and air borders with five neighboring countries, namely Algeria, Burkina Faso, Libya, Mali, and Chad.

Words of the day

evacuation : évacuation

citizens : citoyens