Niger junta accuses France of deploying forces for ‘military intervention’

Niger’s military regime, which took power in July, accused France on Saturday of deploying forces in several West African countries with a view to “military intervention” in Niger.

“France continues to deploy its forces in several ECOWAS (Economic Community of West African States) countries as part of preparations for an aggression against Niger, which it is planning in collaboration with this community organisation,” Colonel Major Amadou Abdramane said in a statement broadcast on national television.