Niger must take full responsibility for the protection of the premises of diplomatic missions in the country- France
By; Zagazola Makama
The Embassy of France on Tuesday said the authorities in Niger must take all measures for the security and protection of the premises of diplomatic missions accredited in Niger after violent demonstrations.
Zagazola report that thousands of people backing the coup in Niger marched through the streets of the capital denouncing France, the country's former colonial power, waving Russian flags, and setting a door at the French Embassy ablaze on Sunday before the army broke up the crowd.
But in a later transmitted by the French Embassy to Ministry of Foreign Affairs, It said that In view of the demonstrations announced for Thursday 3 August and the many
messages circulating on social networks calling for violence against diplomatic representations and taking into account the serious outbursts observed during the demonstration on Sunday 30 July in front of the French Embassy, this Embassy wishes to remind the responsible Nigerien authorities that the Vienna Convention of 18 April 1961 on Diplomatic Relations oblige the State of residence to take all measures for the security and protection of the premises of diplomatic missions accredited in Niger.
The French Embassy therefore urges the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to refer the matter to the authorities in charge of public order so that they take the appropriate protection measures necessary to secure the premises of the French embassy and the residence from the evening of Wednesday 2 August.
Recalled that French President Emmanuel Macron said Sunday that attacks on France and its interests would not be tolerated and anyone who attacks French citizens will see an immediate response.
France had also suspended, with immediate effect, all its development aid and budget support to Niger while calling for an immediate return to constitutional order under President Bazoum, elected by the people of Niger.
Niger was a French colony until 1960. Until last Wednesday’s coup, Niger had been seen as the West’s reliable partner battling jihadists in Africa’s Sahel region.
