Niger's Rebels Cancel All Security Agreements with France

The ruling "National Council for the Safeguard of the Homeland" (CNSP) of Niger has announced the cancellation of all agreements with France in the fields of security and military, according to Al-Arabiya television.

The military council of Niger declared the annulment of all security and military agreements with France. On the morning of July 26, Niger's presidential guard arrested President Mohamed Bazoum at his residence in the capital, Niamey. The president's guard sealed off access to Bazoum’s residence and denied the requests of negotiators for his release.

Reports indicated that the rebels were pushing the president to sign his resignation, which he refused to do. All institutional operations in Niger have been suspended, and the country's borders have been closed. Media reports suggest that the rebellion was triggered by the president's decision to dismiss the commander of the presidential guard, General Omar Chiani.

Later, French President Emmanuel Macron confirmed that the French ambassador remains in Niger, despite the rebels' demands for him to leave the country. Furthermore, an advisor to the head of the National Council for the Safeguard of the Homeland formed by the rebels stated that Niger is expelling only the French ambassador, Sylvain Ité.

The European Union has labeled the rebels' decision to expel the French ambassador from Niger as a provocation, which will not aid in finding a diplomatic solution to the current crisis.