The relations between Niger and France have been on a downward spiral since the July 26 coup which ousted the Nigerien President Mohamed Bazoum.
Bazoum was widely perceived to be France’s point man in Niger and the wider Sahel region in its fight against extremist insurgency.
The Nigerien military assumed power, citing the Bazoum administration’s failure to deal with the security and socio-economic crises affecting the country.
General Abdourahamane Tchiani, the former head of the presidential guard, was chosen as the new head