Niger military junta claims France is planning attacks on the country | DW News

Niger’s military coup leaders have arrested four more government ministers - that’s according to the party of detained President Mohamed Bazoum. Those arrested include the ministers for oil and mining, as well as the head of the party’s executive committee. The junta has accused Niger’s former colonial power France of plotting a military intervention to reinstate President Bazoum-- who has been held by coup leaders since last week. On Sunday, supporters of the coup stormed the French embassy in the capital Niamey. The French government says it recognizes Bazoum as Niger’s only legitimate leader. The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) called on Sunday for the immediate release and reinstatement of Niger’s president, Mohamed Bazoum, who was arrested during a coup on Wednesday. “In the event the authorities’ demands are not met within one week, [we will] take all measures necessary to restore constitutional order in the Republic of Niger,“ Omar Alieu Touray, the ECOWAS Commission president, said following an emergency meeting in Nigeria’s capital, Abuja. The 15-nation bloc specifically threatened the military junta, led by General Abdourahmane Tchiani, with the use of force. Germany is suspending its bilateral cooperation with Niger until further notice and has warned that it might take further steps in response to a military coup last week that saw democratically elected President Mohamed Bazoum detained by a group of soldiers. Berlin has “suspended all direct support payments to the central government of Niger until further notice,“ a Foreign Ministry spokesperson told a press briefing. “We are also examining our entire bilateral engagement with Niger and will, of course, take further measures depending on the developments in the next few days,“ the spokesperson added, saying the situation was still in flux and that the coup could still fail. The suspension of cooperation was confirmed by the Development Ministry. A spokeswoman for that ministry said that those behind the coup “must restore power to the democratically elected president. “We are in close contact within the federal government and with our partners and are monitoring and evaluating the developments in Niger,“ she added. The EU has already cut its aid to Niger. Subscribe: For more news go to: Follow DW on social media: ►Facebook: ►Twitter: ►Instagram: ►Twitch: Für Videos in deutscher Sprache besuchen Sie: #Niger #France #ECOWAS