France breaks silence on Niger’s coup plot accusations as anti-French tensions attain boiling level

In an interview with RFI, Barrot was requested about Niger’s allegation that France participated in or supported the tried coup.

He dismissed the declare, saying there was “neither intention nor means” that France may have had or used for such an operation.

He added that the accusation was, as standard, one other try and wrongly assign duty to France for occasions in Niger.

“These are nothing but pure fantasies. There is neither intention nor means that France could have or would have used. All of this is, as usual, a way of wrongly pointing the finger at a responsibility of France that simply does not exist.” Barrot said.

Barrot’s feedback got here after Niger’s army authorities escalated its accusations in opposition to Paris over the tried mutiny at Air Base 101 in Niamey on August 28 and 29.

In a press release shared by Niger Fr (@NigerAr on X) following a September 4 Council of Ministers assembly chaired by General Abdourahamane Tiani, Niger accused what it referred to as “Mr. Macron’s French regime” of main a wider community that allegedly instigated and sustained the mutiny.

The Nigerien authorities mentioned the operation concerned “traitorous and renegade” parts who have been allegedly supplied guarantees to hold out what it described as a French plan in opposition to the nation.

Niamey mentioned it had compiled substantial documentation regarding the alleged operation and reserved the appropriate to take the matter earlier than worldwide justice.

The authorities additionally introduced the mutiny as a part of what it described as a seamless effort to undermine Niger’s sovereignty and exert management over its pure assets.

The accusation has not been accompanied by detailed proof made public by Niger, whereas France has categorically denied involvement.

The confrontation follows essentially the most severe inside problem to Tiani’s army authorities because it seized energy in July 2023. Mutinous troopers attacked strategic positions round Niamey, together with Air Base 101, the presidential space and the state broadcaster, earlier than the rebellion was suppressed.

Niger subsequently mentioned safety forces had recovered what it described as a “true arsenal of war” from the mutineers, claiming the weapons have been able to inflicting main destruction within the capital.

The disaster additionally uncovered Niger’s rising dependence on new safety companions. Russian Africa Corps personnel intervened alongside Nigerien forces to assist retake the army base, in keeping with reporting from Al Jazeera and different worldwide retailers.

The episode comes after Niger dramatically reshaped its international and safety relationships following the 2023 coup. French forces have been expelled from the nation, whereas Niamey deepened ties with Russia and its fellow military-led Sahel states, Mali and Burkina Faso.

Niger’s newest allegation subsequently provides one other layer to an already hostile relationship with Paris, with the junta more and more portraying France as a supply of exterior strain and destabilisation.