Niger Republic Cut Diplomatic Ties With Nigeria, Togo, France, United States

Niger Republic‘s junta has severed diplomatic ties with its former colonial ruler, France, as well as Nigeria, Togo, and the United States.

The announcement was made in a national broadcast on Thursday by Colonel Major Amadou Abdramane, the spokesperson for Niger’s coup leader, General Abdourahmane Tchiani.

On Thursday, Nigeria’s President, Bola Tinubu, who also serves as the Chairman of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), had send a delegation led by former military Head of State, General Abdulsalam Abubakar, to Niger Republic.

This move was in response to ECOWAS’s issuance of a seven-day ultimatum for the reinstatement of President Mohamed Bazoum, aiming to avoid a potential clash with the junta.

President Bazoum, who pleaded for help in a Washington Post opinion piece, described himself as a hostage seeking assistance from the U.S. and its partners.

But, in the announcement on Friday, Niger’s junta said that the country had cut its relationship with France, Nigeria, Togo and the United States of America.

Colonel Major Amadou Abdramane warned that any aggression or attempt at aggression against Niger will face an immediate and unannounced response.

“The functions of the extraordinary and plenipotentiary ambassadors of the Republic of Niger” to France, Nigeria, Togo and the United States are terminated.

“All aggression or attempt at aggression against the state of Niger will see an immediate response and without warning,” Abdramane stated.

European countries have started evacuating their nationals from Niger, as Mali, Burkina Faso, and Guinea declared support for the coup, strengthening the position of the military rulers.

Meanwhile, France has rejected the Niger junta’s move to cut bilateral military pacts, noting that it was only the “legitimate” leadership of the country that can do so.