Airlines will stop operating flights to Niger for French citizens

Airlines are stopping to operate flights to Niger for French citizens. This is a directive from the Nigerien Authorities.

According to the Nigerien authorities, passenger or Tourists of French nationality will not enter Nigerien territory.

As the breach between Paris and Niamey widens in the wake of last year’s military coup, airline sources say that French people will no longer enter Niger.

French passengers and French Tourists can neither board flights to Niamey, the capital city.

According to a source close to the Moroccan airline, Royal Air Maroc is abiding by the new regulation with the exception of special authorisations.

Already, a number of French nationals have lately come at Niamey airport and been refused entry.

Following Mohamed Bazoum, the elected president of Niger, overthrow by a military coup on July 26, relations between Paris and Niamey are getting worse each passing day.

Declining relationships

A military coup d’état overthrew President Mohamed Bazoum of Niger on July 26, 2023.

The status of the French authorities, who continue to acknowledge him as the rightful leader, is declining in the nation.

The junta in Niger said in August that the police were mandated to remove the ambassador of France.                                                   After first disobeying the directive, the European country finally consented to send the ambassador back to Paris.                                  Approximately 1500 French troops that were stationed there were removed.

The Nigerien authorities are refusing to allow France to operate under regular terms.

Niamey is currently dealing with two insurgencies:

One, an assault in the west by terrorists crossing from Mali and Burkina Faso.                                                                                           Two, a spillover from a protracted conflict in neighbouring Nigeria in the southeast.

The military authorities of the country prefer a transition to civilian government to last up to three years.

Mean while, they are grappling with rising food costs and limited access to medications due to regional sanctions.

As a result of the above, Airlines are stopping to operate flights to Niger until further notice

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