France Reacts To Niger Coup Leader Cutting Tie With Its Military

France has rejected the recent actions of the Niger junta to nullify bilateral military agreements, stating that only the country’s “legitimate” leadership can make such decisions.

Following the junta’s announcement that it’s cancelling military cooperation agreements with Paris, the French foreign ministry responded, asserting the agreements were established with the recognized Nigerien authorities.

The foreign ministry stated, “The legal framework of France’s defence agreement with Niger is based on accords that were signed with the legitimate Nigerien authorities.”

The junta severed ties with several countries, including Nigeria and France, after a delegation from the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) failed to achieve its peace negotiation objectives.

The intention of the delegation was to restore the constitutional order in Niger.

On national television, junta representative Amadou Abdramane announced the cancellation of five military deals with France dating from 1977 to 2020.

Additionally, broadcasts from French state-funded news outlets France 24 and RFI were suspended, leading to reproval from the French foreign ministry.

A decision about the revocation of five military deals with France dating between 1977 and 2020 was read out on national television late on Thursday by junta representative, Amadou Abdramane.

Abdramane added that a diplomatic notice would be sent to France to that effect. There was no immediate response from France.

Some locals have accused the former colonial ruler of interfering in their affairs.