Evacuation of French nationals from Niger: the safety of citizens above all
On August 3, 2023, the French Minister of the Armed Forces, Sébastien Lecornu, announced on social networks that the evacuation of French nationals from Niger had just ended. In total, 1,079 people, including 577 French people and their dependents, as well as many other nationalities, were repatriated safely.
This voluntary evacuation operation was launched following the coup in Niger on July 26 and violence that erupted during a demonstration in front of the country’s embassy in Niamey on July 30. Faced with these events, the French authorities took the decision to protect their nationals by repatriating them.
The evacuation took place over a period of 48 hours and was carried out on a voluntary basis. Nearly 600 French people expressed their wish to leave, while others were absent from the country for vacation. In total, around 1,200 French people were registered on the consular lists in Niger.
Five planes chartered by the French army were mobilized to repatriate the nationals. This operation was carried out under maximum security conditions to ensure the protection of the evacuees.
The French authorities strongly condemned the violence committed against their embassy in Niamey. They insist that the security of diplomatic assets and personnel is an obligation under international law.
General Abdourahamane Tchiani, head of the National Council for the Safeguarding of the Fatherland in Niger, affirmed in a televised speech that foreign nationals present in the country had never been threatened and had no objective reason to leave Niger.
This evacuation of French nationals from Niger demonstrates the priority given to the security of French citizens. The authorities have taken rapid and effective measures to ensure the safe return of their nationals to their countries of origin.
It is important to emphasize that, despite this event, Niger is a welcoming and generally safe country for foreigners. Potential travelers should keep in mind that exceptional situations may occur, but the security situation can change quickly.
France will continue to closely monitor the situation in Niger and take the necessary measures to ensure the security of its citizens present in the country. Cooperation between the French and Nigerien authorities will be essential to maintain stable and secure relations between the two countries.
The safety of citizens must always be the top priority in such circumstances, and voluntary evacuations are an essential measure to ensure safe repatriation in crisis situations..
French nationals can now reunite with their loved ones and recover from these events, hoping that stability will quickly return to Niger to allow everyone to return to normal life.