China urges citizens to leave Niger

China has urged its citizens in Niger to leave for a third country or return home, as tensions in the West African nation rise following a coup.

In a statement posted on its website today, the Chinese embassy in Niger also advised its citizens to avoid traveling to the West African country unless necessary. The Chinese embassy had previously advised its citizens to be “vigilant,” avoid going out, and take safety measures after the Niger military staged a coup that ousted President Mohamed Bazoum.

Niger is one of Africa's poorest countries, but has the world's fifth-largest uranium reserves and abundant oil resources, in which China is a major investor. China National Petroleum Corporation (CNPC) and China National Nuclear Corporation (CNNC) have invested $4.6 billion and $480 million, respectively, in Niger's oil and uranium industries.

China is also the country’s largest contractor. As of 2021, 1,068 Chinese workers were employed by about 40 Chinese companies in Niger.

Protesters cheer on Niger's army as they gather in front of the French embassy in the capital Niamey on July 30. Photo: AFP

Niger's presidential guard overthrew Bazoum, who was considered an ally of the West, on July 26. The coup group then established a military government headed by guard general Abdourahamane Tiani.

France, the United States and the European Union (EU) have condemned the coup in Niger. The EU has declared that it does not recognize the coup group and has suspended financial assistance and security cooperation with Niger. Meanwhile, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken spoke by phone with Mr. Bazoum and pledged to ensure the restoration of constitutional order in Niger.

On July 30, the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) issued an ultimatum to the Niger military government, demanding that power be returned to President Bazoum before the night of August 6 (6:00 a.m. on August 7, Hanoi time), otherwise it will conduct military intervention.

The ECOWAS ultimatum has expired, but the bloc has yet to take any military action. A senior military commander in the bloc said ECOWAS was not ready to send troops into Niger. Niger closed its airspace on August 6, fearing intervention, and warned it would “react immediately and decisively if its airspace is violated”.

ECOWAS consists of 15 African countries: Cape Verde, Gambia, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Liberia, Mali, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Benin, Burkina Faso, Ghana, Ivory Coast, Niger, Nigeria and Togo.

However, Mali and Burkina Faso, both currently under military rule, were suspended from ECOWAS following coups. The two countries have vowed to declare war if Niger is invaded. Mali's military said today that it and Burkina Faso will send a joint delegation to Niger to show "solidarity with the brotherly people of Niger".

Location of Niger and neighboring countries. Graphic: AFP

Huyen Le (According to Reuters, AFP, SCMP )

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