The Latest Breaking News from Niger

France’s first evacuation plane left Niger on Tuesday with more than 250 people on board, Foreign Minister Catherine Colonna said. France had said it planned to evacuate its nationals and EU citizens from the West African country following a military coup last Wednesday that unleashed protests against the former colonial…

In today’s newsletter: The country has been considered stable in an unstable region. So what sparked a coup – and what effects will it have?

Junta that seized power claims Paris is aiming to reinstate deposed president as regional tensions grow

Niger's military junta has accused France of seeking to "intervene militarily" to return deposed President Mohamed Bazoum to power as tensions mount with the country's former colonial ruler France and regional neighbours.

The cancellation is due to sanctions imposed on Sunday by the West African ECOWAS bloc after last week’s coup in Niger.

France's foreign minister on Monday denied accusations from Niger's junta that Paris is plotting military action to support ousted President Mohamed Bazoum. The deposed leader has been held by Niger’s military since Wednesday, while the head of the presidential guard, Abdourahamane Tiani, has declared himself the country’s new leader. Follow…

At an emergency meeting in Abuja, Nigeria, on 30 July, the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) demanded the “immediate release and reinstatement” of Niger’s elected president, Mohamed Bazoum. He had been held by the military since 19 July.

Ouhoumoudou Mahamadou, who was removed as prime minister of Niger when military officers seized power last week, told RFI and France24 that external forces are seeking to stir up opposition to France, after protesters outside the French embassy were seen waving Russian flags.

Thousands of supporters of the junta that seized power in Niger last week have taken to the streets to wave Russian flags and sing the name of Vladimir Putin.