Niger’s junta says France is planning a military intervention in the country in collaboration with the regional bloc known as the Economic Community of West African States.
Niger's rulers say France is deploying forces and military equipment in several ECOWAS countries as part of preparations for the aggression. Former colonial power, France, refuses to recognize the military government in Niger, which took power after ousting President Mohamed Bazoum in July. France currently has about 15-hundred soldiers stationed in the country. Niger's leaders have renounced several military cooperation agreements with Paris and say French forces are now illegally stationed in Niger. Thousands of people have also held several gatherings around a military base housing French soldiers in the capital, Niamey, to demand their departure.