France has rejected Niger’s military decision to cancel bilateral military treaties, saying only “legitimate” leaders have the authority to do so.
The Nigerian newspaper Al-Seyassah reported that the French Foreign Ministry said that the legal framework of the defense agreement with Niger is based on agreements signed with the democratically elected government of President Mohamed Bazoum.
Bazoum was captured by his defenders last week, and a military junta has been in power ever since.
Niger, a major part of the African region known as the Sahel, has been plagued by jihadist violence and military coups in recent years.
Niger was once seen as an example of relative stability in the region, but the coup reversed that view.
France and the United States have military bases in Niger that are used to fight Muslim rebels.
The African Union and the United Nations condemned the coup in Niger.
The regional bloc, the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), called for the immediate liberation of Bezoum and the restoration of constitutional order.
