Niger’s government on Friday formally accused France of supporting the failed August 28-29 coup attempt in Niamey, saying it had gathered evidence of alleged foreign involvement and could take the matter before international courts.
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Government spokesperson Soumana Boubacar, who also serves as Minister Director of Cabinet to the President, read the statement after a Council of Ministers meeting.
“This operation, with international ramifications, was instigated and sustained by a vast network of collusion headed by Macron’s French regime,” Boubacar said.
He described the mutiny as an attempt to destabilise Niger and said authorities had compiled a “substantial body of evidence” concerning the alleged aggression.
“Niger is not waging war against any country and harbours no such intention,” he said. “Niger reserves the right to bring proceedings before international courts.”
The government has not publicly presented evidence linking France to the attempted coup. Paris had not responded to the latest accusation at the time of publication, while the French military previously declined to comment on similar claims aired by Nigerien state television.
The unrest began overnight on August 28-29, when mutinous soldiers attacked Air Base 101 at Niamey’s Diori Hamani International Airport and other sensitive sites, including the presidential palace. Government forces later said they regained control after hours of fighting.
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