The National Council for the Safeguarding of the Country, the junta in power in Niger, said Thursday August 3 it would respond immediately to any “aggression or attempted aggression” against it by West African countries to restore elected leader Mohamed Bazoum. The remarks came as the one-week ultimatum given by the regional Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) looms. The leaders of the region also gave until Sunday this week to restore the 2021 elected leader or face military intervention. Adbdramane also indicated that all military cooperation and protocols have been terminated with France, former colonial master. “”The functions of the extraordinary and plenipotentiary ambassadors of the Republic of Niger” to France, Nigeria, Togo and the United States “are terminated”, it said.

Source: The North Africa Journal August 04, 2023 22:47 UTC