Title: The evacuation operation of French nationals in Niger: testimonies on a controversial decision
Introduction: The coup d’etat that occurred in Niger on July 26, 2023 sowed chaos and fear among foreign nationals present in the country, in particular the French. While French authorities launched an evacuation operation on August 1, some French nationals opted to stay in Niamey, the Nigerien capital. In this article, we collect the testimonies of two French people living in Niamey: Moumouni Mahamadou and Stéphane Jullien.
### Testimonial 1: Moumouni Mahamadou, owner of an establishment in Niamey
Moumouni Mahamadou, a Frenchman living in Niamey and owner of an establishment, made the decision to stay in Niamey despite the ongoing evacuation operation. He explains that the situation in the capital does not cause him any notable concern. “I have never been worried. Since the coup until today, nothing special has happened. I have not noticed anything, at least on my side”, shares t -he. As for his business, he says it has remained open despite curfew restrictions, without encountering any particular problems.
### Testimony 2: Stéphane Jullien, elected French consular official in Niger
Stéphane Jullien, elected consular of the French in Niger and head of an import-export company, has also chosen to stay in Niamey. For him, it is less an evacuation than a voluntary choice. “We asked people if they wanted to return to France, given the situation. It’s a preventive measure to be able to evacuate if necessary,” he explains. He assures that his daily life has not been disturbed. “I’m at work, I’m doing the salaries. Personally, I don’t think we have any real problems. Isolated problems will remain isolated,” he says.
### Closing the evacuation operations: what next?
The French authorities have planned to end operations to evacuate civilians from Niger on August 2, 2023 at midday. Four planes were chartered as part of this operation. The French Ministry of Foreign Affairs justifies this initiative by the violence which occurred in front of the French embassy in Niamey on July 30 and the fear of additional outbursts on Niger’s independence day, August 3. This massive evacuation marks France’s first concrete response to the multiplication of coups in the Sahel since 2020.
Conclusion: Faced with the tense situation in Niger following the coup, French nationals find themselves faced with a difficult choice: evacuate or stay put. The testimonies of Moumouni Mahamadou and Stéphane Jullien illustrate the different perspectives and thoughts that can influence this decision. As the evacuation operation draws to a close, the future remains uncertain for the French living in Niger and for the country itself, which yearns to regain stability and security