Foreign Nationals in Niamey Await Evacuation as Military Coup Unfolds; France, Italy, and Spain Lead Rescue Efforts, US Plans Remain Unclear
Foreign nationals in Niger's capital, Niamey, anxiously await evacuation as countries like France, Italy, and Spain announce plans to evacuate their citizens following a military coup and power seizure. The United States has yet to announce its plans for evacuation. The West African regional bloc ECOWAS threatens to use force if President Bazoum is not released and reinstated. Tensions remain high in the city with protests, and the activist group, The M62 Movement, calls for airport blockades until foreign military forces leave the country.
Foreign nationals in Niger's capital, Niamey, are anxiously waiting for evacuation flights following a military coup last week that saw soldiers detain President Mohamed Bazoum and seize power. France, Italy, and Spain have all announced evacuation plans for their citizens and other Europeans in the city. The United States has yet to announce its plans for evacuation, but some American citizens have already left with the help of European countries.
France has already evacuated over 350 French nationals, as well as individuals from Niger and other countries. There are approximately 1,200 French citizens registered at the French embassy, half of whom have requested evacuation. Italy has also conducted evacuations, with an Italian military aircraft landing in Rome with 99 passengers, including 21 Americans. Italy received authorization for the operation from the new government in Niger.
Germany, which has encouraged its civilians to evacuate on French flights, does not currently see a need to evacuate its approximately 100 troops in the country. The West African regional bloc ECOWAS has threatened to use force if the military junta does not release and reinstate President Bazoum within a week. However, neighboring countries including Mali, Burkina Faso, and Guinea, which are all run by mutinous soldiers, have rejected the idea of military intervention in Niger. The defense chiefs of ECOWAS member countries will hold a meeting in Nigeria's capital, Abuja, to discuss next steps in resolving the crisis. While tensions have calmed in Niamey after violent protests supporting the junta, there is still a sense of unease.
During Tuesday's evacuation flights, Nigerien soldiers reportedly raised middle fingers at waiting evacuees. The use of force by ECOWAS is a real option, with the bloc resolved to take military action after economic and travel sanctions have failed to roll back other coups. Activist group The M62 Movement has called for residents in Niamey to block the airport until foreign military forces leave the country.
