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US declares July takeover in Niger was a military coup

Foreign Affairs Minister Bakary seydou Sangarey, gives his speech as Niger junta's supporters hold rally to demand the French army to leave near French military base in Niamey, Niger, on 1st October, 2023

Washington DC, USReuters The United States on Tuesday declared that the July takeover in Niger was a military coup d’etat, which results in officially suspending assistance to Niger, but there are no plans to change the US troop presence in the country, senior administration officials said. Niger has been a key partner for Washington’s fight […]

France to pull troops out of Niger following coup

French President Emmanuel Macron waits to welcome Pope Francis, ahead of a meeting at Palais du Pharo, on the occasion of the Mediterranean Meetings, in Marseille, France, on 23rd September, 2023.

Paris, FranceReuters France will pull its soldiers out of Niger following a July coup in the West African country, President Emmanuel Macron said on Sunday, dealing a huge blow to French influence and counter-insurgency operations in the Sahel region.  Macron said 1,500 troops would withdraw by the end of the year and that France, the […]

West Africa in another bid to engage with Niger coup leaders

Niger's junta supporters take part in a demonstration in front of a French army base in Niamey, Niger, on 11th August, 2023.

Abuja, NIgeriaReuters West Africa’s ECOWAS bloc aims to send a parliamentary committee to Niger to meet coup leaders who seized power last month, a spokesperson said on Saturday, part of a last ditch regional effort to restore civilian rule that includes religious leaders.  Niger’s military last month imprisoned President Mohamed Bazoum and dissolved the elected […]

Niger coup supporters rally as regional force mulls intervention

Niger's junta supporters take part in a demonstration in front of a French army base in Niamey, Niger, on 11th August, 2023.

Niamey, Niger Reuters Thousands of people gathered in Niger’s capital on Friday to demonstrate in favour of last month’s coup as regional leaders were considering military intervention to restore civilian rule. Since the 26th July military ouster of elected President Mohamed Bazoum, many Nigeriens have joined junta-organised rallies to show support for the generals, criticise […]

West African bloc activates standby force for possible Niger intervention

General view as supporters of Niger's coup leaders take part in a rally at a stadium in Niamey, Niger, on 6th August, 2023

Abuja, NigeriaReuters The West African bloc ECOWAS on Thursday ordered the activation of a standby force for possible use against the junta that took power in Niger in July, saying it wanted a peaceful restoration of democracy but all options including force were on the table. The threat of an invasion, though not specific, will […]

Niger junta meets Nigeria envoys ahead of summit with regional leaders

General Abdourahmane Tiani, who was declared as the new head of state of Niger by leaders of a coup, arrives to meet with ministers in Niamey, Niger, on 28th July, 2023.

Niamey NigerReuters Niger’s military junta met with two Nigerian envoys on Wednesday, offering hope for dialogue before a summit with regional leaders that could result in military action to restore democracy. The talks took place as Niger accused France of violating its airspace, attacking a military camp and freeing “terrorists” to undermine the country. Paris […]

West African leaders to meet on Niger after junta defies deadline

Members of a military council that staged a coup in Niger attend a rally at a stadium in Niamey, Niger, on 6th August, 2023.

Niamey, NigerReuters West African leaders on Monday scheduled a summit for Thursday to discuss the Niger junta’s rejection of an ultimatum to reinstate the ousted president, spurring international hopes of a resolution without the use of force.  The Economic Community of West African States had told leaders of the 26th July coup to stand down […]

Niger’s citizens undaunted as deadline to reverse coup expires

Supporters of Niger's coup leaders take part in a rally at a stadium in Niamey, Niger, on 6th August, 2023.

Niamey, Niger Reuters Thousands of supporters of Niger’s coup leaders flocked to a stadium in the capital Niamey on Sunday, apparently undaunted by the threat of military intervention from West Africa’s regional bloc as its ultimatum to reinstate the President expires. On Niamey’s streets there were also sporadic displays of support for the junta, which […]

Food prices soar after sanctions on coup-hit Niger

A general view shows traffic on streets of Niamey, Niger, on 2nd August, 2023.

Niamey, NigerReuters Shoppers in Niger’s coup-hit capital Niamey face soaring prices for basic foods since the military takeover triggered trade sanctions from West African neighbours.  At one rain-drenched market, customer Ibou Kane said a sack of rice had gone up by more than a third to around 15,000 CFA francs ($US25) since the coup prompted […]