Niger’s junta has ended all connections including military agreements with France, its former colonial ruler, Nigeria and USA as international pressure mounts to restore democratic order in the country.
The military rulers also called back home its ambassadors and warned citizens to be wary of foreign armies and spies.
The alert was aired on television as the delegation dispatched by President Bola Tinubu met with representatives of the junta on Thursday.
Recall that Tinubu as the Chairman of the ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government sent a delegation led by former military Head of State, Gen Abdulsalam Abubakar to Niger yesterday.
However, in the announcement, Niger’s military rulers also cut ties with these countries, as the deadline given by ECOWAS expires soon .
The international community is asking Tchiani-led military to release and reinstate ousted President Mohamed Bazoum.
Bazoum in a plea published in a Washington Post opinion piece said: “I write this as a hostage and urged the U.S. and partners to help”.
But, Niger’s mutinous soldiers made an announcement terminating the military agreements and protocols signed with France and announced the end of functions for Niger’s ambassadors to France, the United States, Togo and neighboring Nigeria, which is leading ECOWAS efforts on dialogue, as disclosed by the RFI.
“All aggression or attempt at aggression against the state of Niger will see an immediate response and without warning”, said a spokesman for the coup leaders, Col. Maj. Amadou Abdramane.
European countries have started the evacuation of their nationals in Niger, as Mali, Burkina Faso and Guinea, expressed support for the coup.