Two French evacuation flights from Niger land in Paris: France
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The third flight is being prepared in the Nigerien capital of Niamey to continue the evacuation efforts.
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French authorities organizing evacuation operations from Niger (French Foreign Ministry)
The French Foreign Ministry confirmed that two French flights carrying over 350 French nationals as well as citizens of other countries evacuated from Niger landed in Paris on Wednesday morning, a week after the president of the West African nation was ousted in a military coup.
"Two flights have already arrived in France and evacuated nationals who wanted [to leave the country]. Over 350 French nationals have been evacuated, as well as citizens of other countries: Niger, Portugal, Belgium, Ethiopia, Lebanon, Germany, Canada, India, the United States and Austria," the ministry said on Twitter.
The third flight is being prepared in the Nigerien capital of Niamey to continue the evacuation efforts, the tweet added.
A total of four evacuation flights are scheduled so far, the France 24 broadcaster said, noting that the evacuation is expected to be completed on Wednesday afternoon.
#Niger | 2 flights have already arrived in France evacuating French and other nationals who so desired: ➡️ Various nationalities on board: 🇳🇪🇵🇹🇧🇪🇪🇹🇱🇧🇩🇪🇨🇦🇮🇳🇺🇸🇦🇹
— France Diplomacy🇫🇷🇪🇺 (@francediplo_EN) August 2, 2023
➡️ more than 350 French nationals 🇫🇷
Evacuation operations by @francediplo & @Armees_Gouv continue. pic.twitter.com/Ptzxvj3Q6p
Around 1,200 French citizens are registered at the embassy in Niamey, France 24 highlighted, while the French Foreign Ministry's estimates put the number at 600, nearly all of whom said that they want to be evacuated.
On July 26, Niger's presidential guard detained President Mohamed Bazoum. The guard's commander, Gen. Abdourahmane Tchiani, proclaimed himself the country's new leader.
France's Foreign Ministry said President Emmanuel Macron had spoken to Bazoum and that Paris continued to recognize him as the only legitimate leader of the African country.
Earlier on Wednesday, Nigerien media reported that the land borders of Niger with Algeria, Burkina Faso, Chad, Libya, and Mali have been reopened.
The decision to reopen the borders came after a week-long closure following the coup, as stated by the rebel National Council for the Safeguard of the Homeland (CNSP), led by Abdourahmane Tchiani.
The decree to reopen the borders was made by Tchiani on August 1, as reported by the Nigerien Press Agency.
It is noteworthy that Niger's new junta said on Monday that its former colonial ruler, France, is looking for ways to intervene militarily to "sabotage the revolution" and reinstate the deposed President Mohamed Bazoum.
"In its search for ways and means to intervene militarily in Niger, France with the complicity of some Nigeriens, held a meeting with the chief of staff of the Nigerien National Guard to obtain the necessary political and military authorization needed," said a statement on national television.
This comes a day after coup leaders in Niger have warned against any armed intervention in their country, stressing that they will "resolutely defend their homeland."
Read more: Niger puts an end to uranium and gold export to France
