Testimonies from French people who chose to stay in Niger despite the evacuation operation
The coup d’état that occurred in Niger on July 26 aroused concern among the French authorities, who quickly set up an operation to evacuate French nationals. However, some French people have decided to stay in Niamey, the Nigerien capital, despite persistent tensions.
Moumouni Mahamadou, a Frenchman living in Niamey and owner of an establishment, does not feel anxious about the situation. “I have never been worried. Since the coup, nothing special has happened. Concerning my business, we remained open despite the curfew restrictions,” he testifies. For him, the problems are limited to a few isolated incidents and do not represent a general threat.
Stéphane Jullien, elected French consular in Niger and business manager, also chose not to leave. According to him, this is not a forced evacuation, but rather a voluntary choice of the people concerned. “We asked people if they wanted to return to France, as a precaution. We do not know how the situation will evolve, so we are taking the necessary measures in case a subsequent evacuation is necessary,” he explains.
However, despite their peace of mind, these French people remain vigilant. The French authorities announced the end of evacuation operations on August 2, but the fear of new excesses remains, particularly on August 3, Niger’s independence day.
This situation highlights the diversity of reactions to a political crisis. While some choose to leave the country as a precaution, others prefer to stay, confident in the stability of their situation. It is essential to respect everyone’s individual choices and ensure their safety by putting appropriate measures in place.