France begins evacuation of citizens from Niger Republic

France on Tuesday announced it has begun evacuating its citizens from Niger Republic, after a coup last week toppled the country’s democratically elected President, Mohamed Bazoum.

The French Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs in a statement said “Given the situation in Niamey, the violence that took place against our embassy the day before yesterday and the closure of airspace which leaves our compatriots without the possibility of leaving the country by their own means, France is preparing the evacuation of its nationals and European nationals wishing to leave the country.”

France had earlier on Tuesday said that it was preparing an evacuation “in the face of a deteriorating security situation in Niamey” but gave no timeframe.

There are an estimated 600 French nationals in Niger Republic, excluding visiting tourists or French residents currently outside the country.

The French government convened a ministerial meeting Tuesday to decide on the exact modalities of the evacuation, with sources saying the French are planning on using military personnel transport planes.

The French Government is however silent on whether the 1,500 French soldiers stationed in Niger Republic will also leave.