Niger is one of the poorest countries in the world, receiving close to $2 billion a year in official development assistance, according to the World Bank.
It is also a key security partner of Western countries such as France, the former colonial power, and the United States, which both use it as a base for their efforts to contain an Islamist insurgency in West and Central Africa’s Sahel region.
Previously seen the most stable country among several unstable neighbours, Niger is the world’s seventh-biggest producer of uranium.
Niger’s foreign allies so far have refused to recognize the new military government led by General Abdourahamane Tiani, previously head of the presidential guard, who officers declared head of state on Friday.
Bazoum has not been heard from since early Thursday when he was confined within the presidential palace, although the European Union, France and others say they still recognize him as the legitimate president.
“In addition to the immediate cessation of budget support, all cooperation actions in the domain of security are suspended indefinitely with immediate effect,” EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell said in a statement.
nah i think its like this: the french are imperialists and never stopped being imperialists which is why they are in trouble now with their ancient energy supply. cant buy your resources in both places that sell uranium: russia and niger.
french could have cared about niger but what the french actually cared about the entire time was just uranium. and now their stupidity bit them in the ass.
i mean last summer they couldnt run their nuclear reactors because of the heat and no water. what did the french so? NOTHING. as always.
i hope the french stay out of niger as their reasons are just greed.
