French Presidents Emmanuel Macron and Ivorian Presidents Alassane Ouattara discussed the aftermath of the coup in Niger and the “rapid deterioration” of the security situation in the Sahel, during an interview on Tuesday, November 21 at the Elysée.
Emmanuel Macron reaffirmed France’s “full support for [Nigerian] President Mohamed Bazoum and recalled that his release was a prerequisite for any negotiation with the putschists,” said the French presidency. Since the coup d’état which overthrew him on July 26, Mohamed Bazoum has been sequestered and has refused to submit his resignation.
Mr. Macron also reaffirmed his support for the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) “with a view to finding a solution to the Nigerien crisis.” ECOWAS has imposed sanctions on Niger and threatened military intervention to restore constitutional order, without success so far. Ivory Coast had said it was ready to send a battalion of soldiers.
The French president “also expressed his concern about the rapid deterioration of the security situation in the Sahel with a growing number of terrorist attacks,” added the Elysée. At least 70 people, mostly children and the elderly, died in killings in north-central Burkina Faso in early November.
The two leaders also discussed “the Ivorian internal situation” following the municipal and regional elections in September, won by Mr. Ouattara’s party, and the appointment of a new government. They also discussed civil and military cooperation as well as bilateral economic relations, particularly in the areas of energy transition, transport and urban development.
After more than ten years of anti-jihadist operations in the Sahel, the French army was pushed towards the exit in Mali, Burkina Faso, then in October in Niger, after military coups. France, a former colonial power, still has several African bases in Chad, Ivory Coast, Senegal, Gabon and Djibouti.