After the coup in Niger, Germany initially refrained from flying people out. Now a Bundeswehr machine with about 30 passengers on board has left the country. Among them are said to be civilians and soldiers.
After the military coup in Niger, the Bundeswehr flew around 30 people out of the West African country. The Bundeswehr announced in the early evening that an A400M transport aircraft had left the airport in the capital Niamey. A spokesman for the Operations Command confirmed the information.
The nationalities of the evacuees were initially unclear. According to information from the dpa news agency, around ten civilians were among the 30 people. The “Spiegel” reported that the majority of those who had been flown out were Bundeswehr soldiers.
First of all, none of your own evacuation flights
The federal government had initially refrained from its own evacuation flights. About 60 Germans had been brought to safety with French planes.
The Foreign Ministry in Paris had declared its own evacuation operation to be over in the afternoon. A total of 1,079 people were brought to safety, the ministry said on Twitter. In addition to 577 French people and their relatives, people of numerous other nationalities were also evacuated. There have been four French evacuation flights since Tuesday.
Closure of the airspace as a reason
Paris also justified the evacuation with the closure of airspace in Niger. This did not give its own citizens the opportunity to leave the country themselves. In the meantime, the military government in Niger has reopened the land and air borders with a total of five neighboring countries.
In addition, there were reports of violence at the French embassy over the weekend during pro-coup protests. Niger’s new military junta accused France of planning military intervention.
USA and UK pull embassy staff away
But not only civilians were affected by the developments: In view of the worsening situation in the country, the USA and Great Britain had withdrawn parts of their embassy staff from Niger. A statement said the US State Department had ordered non-essential government employees and their families to leave the country.
The US embassy in the Nigerien capital Niamey is said to be temporarily reducing its staff and discontinuing routine services. The US mission is only able to help its citizens in Niger in emergencies, it said.
London warns of ‘violent protests’
The British Embassy in Niamey will also temporarily reduce its staff due to the security situation, the Foreign Ministry in London said.
“A military takeover took place in the West African country, which led to protests and unrest,” the updated travel advice for Niger said. The Foreign Ministry also referred to possible “violent protests” and “a situation that could change quickly without warning”.
Hundreds demonstrate for those in power
Meanwhile, hundreds of people gathered in Niamey to mark the anniversary of Niger’s independence to demonstrate their support for the self-proclaimed new military rulers. With a view to the former colonial power France, according to a report by a correspondent for the AFP news agency, they showed posters such as “France out of Africa”. Some participants also waved Russian flags.
The protest participants followed the call of an alliance of civil society organizations on the occasion of the anniversary. Niger gained independence from France in 1960.
Hundreds demonstrated in Niamey for the self-proclaimed new military rulers.
World Bank suspends payments
Internationally, however, the pressure on the junta is increasing: after Germany, the EU and other international partners, the World Bank has also stopped making payments to Niger. The bank has suspended payouts for all of its operations until further notice, the statement said. The exception is partnerships with the private sector, which will be continued with caution.
The UN organization had paid out 1.5 billion dollars – the equivalent of 1.37 billion euros – for projects last year and 730 million dollars so far this year. Niger, with around 26 million inhabitants, is one of the poorest countries in the world.
The International Monetary Fund (IMF), whose aid programs are linked to regularly reviewed conditions, has not yet stopped making payments. However, the UN agency is concerned about the events in Niger and is following the situation closely, an IMF spokesman told the AFP news agency.
ECOWAS ultimatum until Sunday
The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) also increased the pressure on the military government in Niger. The military leaders of the alliance emphasized that military intervention would continue to be considered as a “last option”.
The ECOWAS states had ordered an economic blockade against Niger and demanded that the ousted president be reinstated within seven days. This ultimatum expires on Sunday.
In a televised speech, Niger’s new ruler, General Abdourahamane Tiani, reacted to the ECOWAS sanctions. The junta firmly rejects this. “We will not be intimidated. We refuse to give in to threats – no matter where they come from.” Interference in Niger’s internal affairs is unacceptable.