The threat of military intervention in Niger is becoming more and more pressing. The ultimatum set by ECOWAS expires this Sunday, August 6, which is causing great concern within the Nigerien community in France. On Saturday, around 200 people gathered outside the Niger embassy in Paris, responding to the call from Mohamed Bazoum’s party. They expressed their concern, as well as that of their relatives on the spot, regarding the military threat and the future of the country. In Côte d’Ivoire, Nigerien nationals are equally concerned.
Zeinabou, who lives in Paris, is closely following the situation in his home country. She braved the rain to participate in the demonstration and oppose the coup in Niger. She declares: “I am here to defend my president, elected by the people. Niger does not belong to the military, it belongs to us! We are here today for peace”. Boubacar, also present, wears a t-shirt with the slogan “Stop the coup attempt, Yes for the return to constitutional order”. He expresses his fears by declaring: “At the rate it is going, I am afraid that the soldiers will not retreat”.
For these Nigerien nationals, the situation is worrying, as prices are rising and it is becoming more difficult to withdraw money in Niger. Moreover, the fear of conflict weighs heavily on their daily lives. Boubacar confides: “My parents are afraid. Afraid for the country, afraid that there are different factions clashing. My parents are democrats, they are afraid for democracy”. He also adds: “I am thinking of myself, of my children. At any time, these soldiers can intervene, whatever the reason. We do not need them. Africa must move forward, Niger must move forward. If every time that there is a coup that disrupts democracy, we will not move forward”.
In case of conflict, the Nigerien community in France hopes to be able to support each other to overcome the hardships. The Nigerien Prime Minister, Ouhoumoudou Mahamadou, present in Paris during the demonstration, also hopes that the negotiation will win before the end of the ECOWAS ultimatum and that a military intervention can be avoided.
In Côte d’Ivoire, where approximately 750,000 Nigeriens live, Niger nationals are also closely following the situation in Niger and the ongoing negotiations at the regional level. In the Haoussa Bougou district of the commune of Koumassi in Abidjan, members of the Nigerien community express their support for Mohamed Bazoum and condemn the putschists. According to them, Niger is a rule of law and President Bazoum was legitimately elected. They call for an intervention by ECOWAS to restore constitutional order.
However, others call for favoring the diplomatic route rather than a military intervention.. They believe that Niger does not need war and ask ECOWAS to save the people of Niger through diplomacy.
The situation in Niger continues to cause concern and debate within the Nigerien community around the world. ECOWAS’s decision on a possible military intervention will remain decisive for the future of the country and its democracy