Operation to evacuate French nationals in Niamey after a coup d’état – testimonies of French people who remained there
The recent coup d’état in Niger prompted the French authorities to launch an operation to evacuate their nationals. However, some French people chose to stay in Niamey despite the tense situation. In this article, we collect the testimonies of those who decided not to leave the Nigerian capital.
Moumouni Mahamadou, a Frenchman living in Niamey and owner of an establishment, says he is not worried. He says: “Since the coup, nothing special has ever happened. Regarding my business, we have remained open and we have had nothing special.” For him, the situation does not justify an immediate evacuation.
Stéphane Jullien, for his part, is a French entrepreneur who has been living in Niger for 18 years. Despite the political unrest, he doesn’t think there are any real problems. He explains: “I am at work, I make the salaries because we have to pay people. We are not encountering any major difficulties, except for a few isolated incidents which remain rare.”
These testimonies underline that not all French people chose to leave the country due to the political situation. Some believe that evacuations are a precautionary measure, not an absolute necessity.
However, it should be noted that the French authorities implemented this evacuation operation in response to the violence that occurred in front of the French embassy in Niamey. In addition, Niger’s Independence Day, scheduled for August 3, raises additional fears of possible excesses.
Despite these concerns, it is interesting to note that some French people have chosen to stay in Niamey, highlighting their confidence in the current situation. This diversity of reactions highlights the complexity of decision-making in such circumstances.
In conclusion, the evacuation of French nationals to Niger is debated, with some choosing to stay despite the tense political situation. The testimonies collected highlight divergent opinions regarding the need to leave the country. Everyone assesses the risks and decides based on their perception of the situation.