France reaffirmed today that only the legitimate authorities in Niger are empowered to cancel agreements between the two countries. This comes in response to the announcement by the military council in Niger, which ousted elected President Mohamed Bazoum a week ago, to cancel several military agreements with France.
The French Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated in a statement that only the legitimate authorities in Niger have the authority to terminate agreements, emphasizing that the legal framework for defense cooperation with Niamey is based on agreements signed with the legitimate Nigerien authorities.
The ministry added that France recognizes, like the rest of the international community, only the elected legitimate authorities in Niger.
Yesterday, the military council in Niger announced the cancellation of several military agreements that were signed with France, and it also threatened an “immediate response” to any aggression from the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS). In a televised statement, the council stated that in the face of France’s indifferent attitude and its reaction to the situation in Niger, the National Council for the Protection of the Nation decided to nullify cooperation agreements with France in the areas of security and defense.
Elected President Mohamed Bazoum had warned in an article published by The Washington Post today that the success of the attempted coup to remove him from power would have serious consequences for his country, Africa, and the world as a whole.
Source: Qatar News Agency