The French Ministry of Foreign Affairs has asked “the Nigerien security forces to take the necessary measures to ensure that the security of foreign diplomatic premises in Niamey, particularly those of France, will be fully guaranteed” during demonstrations scheduled for Thursday August 3 in the Nigerien capital. “France recalls that the security of rights of way and diplomatic personnel [is a] obligation under international law, and in particular the Vienna Conventions”, underlines the Quai d’Orsay in a press release.
It was precisely a violent demonstration against the French Embassy last Sunday in Niamey that led the French government on Tuesday to launch an evacuation operation for its nationals. During this demonstration, which took place a few days after the military coup against Nigerien President Mohamed Bazoum, windows were broken, and pro-coup demonstrators chanting anti-French slogans, tried to enter inside the French Embassy.
The Quai d’Orsay had also argued that the airspace was closed and that the French could no longer leave the country on their own. Since then, the borders have been partially reopened.
A total of five military aircraft were chartered for the evacuations. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has not yet communicated the total number of people repatriated. On Wednesday evening, he indicated that the fourth flight brought the number of evacuees to 992, including 560 French people, “alongside many foreign nationals”. Evacuation is done on a voluntary basis. And some 600 French people have expressed their wish to leave. 1,200 French people are registered on the consular lists, but some of them are on vacation outside France.
For its part, the United States on Wednesday ordered the evacuation of its non-essential personnel at the embassy in Niamey.
