France warns of the possibility of Russia trying to take advantage of the coup in Niger

The minister French of Foreign, Catherine Colonnawarned this Monday of the possibility that Russia try to take advantage of last week’s coup in Niger.

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Colonna considered that the crisis of Niger includes “all the usual ingredients of Russian-African destabilization”as he said in a statement to the television channel BFMTV.

For example, he recalled the large number of Russian flags displayed by those who support the coup and the slogans “cut and paste” that have been seen in anti-French protests and prorussians in other African countries.

“I don’t think people sleep with a russian flag Under the pillow”he ironized.

For all these reasons, the head of French diplomacy considered “possible” that Russia tried to take “profit” from the crisis, but avoided blaming Moscow of the coup and attributed it to “an opportunistic action” by a high military official.

Colonna ensured that the return to power of the president Mohamed Bazoum is “possible” and “necessary”, but he denied the accusations of the coup military that France would be preparing a Military intervention.

France It has in Niger a contingent of 1,500 military to support that country in the fight against jihadism.

Previously, the Élysée reported that Emmanuel Macron He had spoken on several occasions with the president of Niger, Mohamed Bazoumand with his predecessor, as well as with the leaders of other countries in the region, within a long series of contacts in search of a solution to the crisis in that African country.

Sources from the Élysée indicated this Monday that the French president has spoken at various times with bazoum and with his predecessor, Mahamadou Issoufouas well as with the heads of State of the Commonwealth of West African States (ECOWAS).

Especially, Macron spoke with the presidents of Nigeria, Chad, Ivory Coast, Senegal and Benin, in addition to the “European and international partners (of France) involved in resolving the Niger crisis,” the sources added.

“France strongly condemns the illegitimate military coup and demands the restoration of constitutional order and President Bazoum.” after the military coup last Wednesday, they added. “The priority is the safety of our citizens and our companies”they influenced.

Macron He already spoke yesterday Sunday with bazoum and with issoufouthe same day that several hundred people violently protested in front of the French embassy in the capital of Nigerwhich prompted a firm response from Paris that it would respond “immediately and decisively” if there were attacks against their interests.

Source: Elcomercio

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I am Jack Morton and I work in 24 News Recorder. I mostly cover world news and I have also authored 24 news recorder. I find this work highly interesting and it allows me to keep up with current events happening around the world.