Niger’s ruling council blames France for attempted coup

Niger’s ruling council has blamed France for a failed military uprising, prompting a sharp rejection from Paris. French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot called the accusations “pure fantasies.”

Barrot said France had never intended to encourage a mutiny and had not mobilized any resources for such an effort. He described the allegations as another attempt to point the finger at France and assign Paris responsibility that “simply does not exist.”

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These are pure fantasies.

The junta said the revolt had been stirred by a large network led by France. Niger’s state television also suggested French involvement, but the report did not provide evidence. With Russian support, Niger’s authorities put down the mutiny last weekend. The rebels attacked the presidential palace and other targets in the capital, Niamey. The headquarters of Russia’s so-called Africa Corps is located at the city’s airport.

The accusations reflect the wider break between Niger’s military rulers and France. Niger was a French colony from 1922 to 1960, and French counterterrorism units remained in the country until the end of 2023. They withdrew under pressure from the junta, while Russia’s Africa Corps has expanded its influence. Military ruler Abdourahmane Tiani has governed Niger since the July 2023 coup. Niamey regularly accuses France of trying to destabilize the country, allegations France denies.

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simply does not exist