The French Foreign Ministry announced today, Tuesday, that "France will begin evacuating its citizens from Niger starting today," confirming that "preparations for the evacuation are underway." It added, "France is also working on evacuating European citizens from Niger."
In a television interview, French Foreign Minister Catherine Colonna stated that "France has negotiated with the authorities in Niger to proceed with the evacuation of French citizens." She added, "Hundreds of French citizens will be evacuated."
**Italy**
Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani mentioned that "the government will organize a special flight to bring its citizens back from the Nigerien capital, Niamey." Tajani wrote on the platform "X," saying, "The Italian government has decided to provide our citizens in Niamey with the opportunity to leave the country on a special flight to Italy." The minister, in statements sent by his office to Reuters, indicated that "the Italian embassy is still operational, and the ambassador will return to Niger after her visit to Rome, where she traveled to attend last week's UN Food Systems Summit." He added, "Italy wishes to make political and diplomatic mediation efforts."
**Spain**
For its part, the Spanish Defense Ministry stated that "the Spanish government is preparing to evacuate more than 70 Spaniards in Niger on flights." The ministry added, "The Spanish embassy staff in Niamey is in touch with residents and visitors from Spain there to coordinate the operation."
**Germany**
Germany urged its citizens in Niger to accept an offer from the French authorities and leave the country on the evacuation flights organized by Paris today. The German Foreign Ministry stated, "We can confirm that our French counterparts have offered, within the available capacity, to transport German citizens on their flights from Niger," adding that it advised "all German citizens in Niamey to accept the offer."
**Flight Radar**
Data from the Flight Radar website showed that a French military aircraft landed at Niamey airport. France, the United States, Germany, and Italy have forces in Niger to combat insurgency and train local troops, but no evacuation operations for those forces have been announced yet.
**"Declaration of War"**
ECOWAS has taken the most severe action against Niger so far, after the group struggled to convince military rulers in member states, Mali, Burkina Faso, and Guinea, to restore democracy. A joint statement broadcast by media outlets in Mali and Burkina Faso warned, "Mali and Burkina Faso warn that any military intervention in Niger will be considered a declaration of war on Burkina Faso and Mali." They stated that they would withdraw from ECOWAS and adopt "legitimate defense measures" to support Niger's army and people if ECOWAS intervenes. Military leaders in Guinea also expressed solidarity with Niger. Niger ranks seventh in the list of the largest uranium producers in the world. Uranium is a radioactive mineral used in nuclear energy and cancer treatment.
