A general view of billowing smoke as supporters of the Nigerien defence and security forces attack the headquarters of the Nigerien Party for Democracy and Socialism (PNDS), the party of overthrown President Mohamed Bazoum, in Niamey on July 27, 2023. (Photo by AFP)
Paris: France on Thursday condemned "all attempts to seize power by force" in Niger and demanded the release of the president seized by troops.
Paris "strongly condemns any attempt to seize power by force and joins the calls of the African Union and ECOWAS to restore the integrity of Niger's democratic institutions", foreign minister Catherine Colonna said on Twitter, which is being rebranded as X.
France calls for "the freeing of President Mohamed Bazoum and his family," the foreign ministry said in a separate statement.
"We call for the respect of and immediate restoration of all of Niger's democratic institutions," it said.
France has some 1,500 troops deployed in Niger.
Troops who say they have seized power in Niger accused France of landing a military plane in the country in defiance of their orders to close the national borders.
"The French partner bypassed (the decision) on closing land and air borders in order to land an A401-type military aircraft at Niamey international airport this morning at 6:30 am," the coup leaders said in a statement, demanding "once and for all that measures (taken by the junta) be strictly upheld."
