First group of French nationals evacuated from Niger arrives in Paris
ANKARA (AA): The first group of French and nationals of other countries evacuated from Niger arrived in Paris early Wednesday morning.
France had announced its decision to evacuate its citizens from Niamey following the military coup on July 26, in coordination with Niger forces, according to a statement of the French Embassy.
The first plane transported 262 people, including French, Nigerien, Portuguese, Belgian, Ethiopian, and Lebanese nationals.
The plane landed at Roissy-Charles-de-Gaulle airport in Paris.
A second plane is set to transport other French, Nigerien, German, Belgian, Canadian, American, Austrian, and Indian nationals, the French Foreign Ministry said.
The embassy in Niamey reportedly has 1,200 French citizens, out of whom 600 wanted to return to France.
A group of soldiers calling themselves the National Council for the Safeguarding of the Country (CNSP) delivered a statement on Nigerien state television on July 26, shortly after detaining President Mohamed Bazoum, saying they took the step due to the “deteriorating security situation and bad governance.”
Bazoum, a staunch ally of former colonial power France, was elected in 2021. However, his political leanings and pro-West tilt as well as the deteriorating condition of the country led to resentment against his rule among the public.
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