French Defense Minister Sebastien Lecornu stated that his country has suspended military cooperation with Gabon.
In an interview with Le Figaro newspaper, Lecornu evaluated the situation in Gabon and Niger.
Commenting that the situation in Niger and Gabon is different, Lecornu said that in Niger, “illegitimate soldiers” ousted a legitimate president.
Lecornu said that “the soldiers in Gabon, on the other hand, claim that the electoral law and the constitution in their country were not respected”.
Stating that there are questions about the credibility of the elections in Gabon, Lecornu said that his country has suspended military cooperation with Gabon.
Lecornu noted that they are in contact with President Mohamed Bazum, who was removed from office by military intervention in Niger.
Arguing that Bazum has democratic legitimacy, Lecornu stated that they are in favor of the return to constitutional order in Niger.
Lecornu rejected the Niamey administration’s ultimatum for the 1,500 French troops in Niger to leave the country by Monday, saying: “Why do we have troops in this country? Contrary to what I sometimes hear, we are not spending French taxpayers’ money for symbolic or nostalgic reasons. (We are in Niger) because unfortunately there has been serious terrorist activity in this part of the Sahel for many years.”
French Defense Minister Lecornu stressed that Niger has an obligation to ensure the safety of the French Ambassador to Niamey, Sylvain Itte, no matter what happens.