Niger coup: Junta scraps military pacts with France – DW – 08/04/2023
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As it seeks to consolidate power following last week's coup, Niger's junta has said it will revoke various military cooperation agreements with France that were made under ousted President Mohamed Bazoum.
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    Niger’s junta said in a televised statement late Thursday that it has “decided to scrap cooperation agreements in the field of security and defense” with France.

    Between 1,000 and 1,500 French troops are currently stationed in Niger, which has become an important staging ground in a fight against Islamist militants affiliated with “Islamic State” and al Qaeda.

    After withdrawing from Mali and Burkina Faso following military coups in both countries, the government of ousted Nigerien President Mohamed Bazoum was one of France’s last strategic allies in the restive Sahel region.

    “France reaffirms its constant engagement and determination in favor of freedom of expression, the press, and the protection of journalists,” it said in a statement.

    Hundreds of coup supporters also took to the streets in Agadez, on the edge of the Sahara desert, and Filingue, the hometown of junta leader General Abdourahamane Tchiani.

    This week, ECOWAS said it could stage an intervention if the junta in Niger does not reinstate democratically elected president Mohamed Bazoum by Sunday, although it said military action was a “last resort.”

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