By Nurat Uthman
The leaders of Niger’s coup have accused France of amassing forces, weapons, and equipment in neighboring West African countries in preparation for a potential military intervention.
The relationship between France, Niger’s former colonial power, deteriorated after Paris supported the ousted president Mohamed Bazoum in the aftermath of the July coup.
Colonel Major Amadou Abdramane, the spokesperson for Niger’s regime, stated on Saturday that France is deploying its forces in multiple ECOWAS countries as part of a collaborative effort with the organization to plan aggression against Niger.
The Sahel state is also in a standoff with ECOWAS, which has threatened military intervention if diplomatic efforts fail to reinstate Bazoum.
Abdramane claimed that France has sent military aircraft, helicopters, and 40 armored vehicles to Cote d’Ivoire and Benin.
He also mentioned that large quantities of war materials and equipment have been unloaded in Senegal, Cote d’Ivoire, and Benin through military cargo aircraft.
