Niger junta accuses Macron of forcing ECOWAS invasion

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: Agencies
2 Sep 2023 00:10
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The CNSP argues that Macron's remarks overlook the unique national circumstances, portraying a regional coup threat as a psychosis.

French President Emmanuel Macron gestures as he holds his annual foreign policy speech in front of French ambassadors at the Elysee Palace, in Paris, Monday Aug. 28, 2023 (Teresa Suarez, Pool via AP)

Niger's National Council for the Safeguard of the Homeland (CNSP) has accused the President of Niger's ex-colonizer Emmanuel Macron of pressuring the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) to invade Niger.

Macron's recent statements condemning other countries for not supporting former Nigerien authorities and pledging support for ousted President Mohamed Bazoum and ECOWAS' efforts have drawn criticism.

The CNSP argues that Macron's remarks unfairly compare African leaders to "children" and overlook the unique national circumstances, portraying a regional coup threat as a psychosis. They claim that Macron's intention is to intimidate these leaders and manipulate them into joining a neo-colonialist agenda to invade Niger, characterizing it as interference in Niger's internal affairs.

"[Macron's statements] are aimed at comparing African leaders to children by escalating, without taking into account the differences between national contexts, psychosis, regarding the regional threat of the spread of military putsches. [Macron] hopes to scare them and use them as an ECOWAS tool to force them to join a neo-colonialist project from another era to invade Niger," the CNSP said in a statement.

Macron has stated that any decisions concerning Niger's situation will only be made after negotiations with President Bazoum, emphasizing their ongoing communication.

What do you need to know?

On July 26, Niger's presidential guard overthrew Bazoum. The guard's commander, Abdourahmane Tchiani, proclaimed himself the country's new leader.

The military chiefs of the Economic Community of West African States met to discuss options for military intervention in Niger. The goal of the meeting reportedly is to outline a plan for the intervention, its strategy, logistical aspects, and timetable.

Correspondingly, military leaders in Niger have warned against any armed intervention in their country, stressing that they will "resolutely defend their homeland."

The interim governments of Mali and Burkina Faso warned that any military intervention against Niger would be considered a declaration of war against them.

ECOWAS has resorted to implementing a full pressure campaign on the country, which included the closure of land and air borders between the bloc's countries and Niger, the suspension of all commercial and financial transactions with it, and the freezing of the country's assets in ECOWAS Central Banks.

The bloc also suspended all financial aid to Niger, froze the assets of the coup leaders, their families, and supporters, and imposed a ban on commercial flights to and from the country.