Niger's junta accuses France of gathering forces for military intervention

(Patria) - Niger's military leaders have accused France of gathering forces for a possible military intervention in the country following the July coup. French President Emmanuel Macron stated on Sunday that he would only take action at the request of Niger's ousted leader Mohamed Bazoum.

Spokesperson for the Nigerien junta, Major Amadou Abdramane, said France is also considering cooperation in such an intervention with the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), AP reports.

"France continues to deploy its forces in several ECOWAS countries as part of preparations for aggression against Niger," Abdramane said late Saturday.

Macron said he would not directly respond to the junta's claim when asked about it after the G20 summit.

"If we redeploy anything, it will only be at Bazoum's request and in coordination with him, not with the people holding the president hostage," he said.

Macron did, however, add that France "fully" supports ECOWAS's stance, which has said it is considering military intervention as an option to restore Bazoum to the presidency.

The junta spokesperson said France has deployed military aircraft and armored vehicles in countries like Ivory Coast, Senegal, and Benin for such aggression.

"Therefore, the National Council for the Safeguard of the Homeland and the transitional government issue a solemn appeal to the great people of Niger to be vigilant and never demobilize until the inevitable departure of French troops from our territory," he said.

French army spokesperson Colonel Pierre Gaudiliere said on Thursday that there are now "a little less than" 1,500 soldiers in Niger who worked with Nigerien security forces to combat jihadist violence. All French activities have been suspended since the coup, "so the statements made (earlier by the French) relate to exploring what we will do with these capabilities," Gaudiliere said.