French President, Macron Orders Return Of Democratic Order In Niger, State Demands

French President Emmanuel Macron has called for a return to democratic order in Niger, a former French colony whose elected leadership was toppled in a military coup in July.

“As far as Niger is concerned, we are clear: the coup is a coup against democracy in Niger, against the people in Niger and against the fight against terrorism,” Mr Macron said on Thursday.

France therefore demands the release of detained President Mohamed Bazoum and the “restoration of constitutional order,” he said.

France has soldiers stationed in several parts of West Africa as part of anti-terror operations, and Macron also defended France’s military presence in the region.

“If we hadn’t got involved with operations Serval and then Barkhane, there’s no doubt Mali and Burkina Faso will no longer exist, and I’m not sure myself if Niger will still exist,” he said.