France to evacuate European citizens from Niger after coup

Decision comes after junta accused France of plotting to reinstate Mohamed Bazoum

France has said it will immediately begin evacuating its citizens and other Europeans from Niger, days after a junta toppled the president, Mohamed Bazoum, and seized power in the west African country.

The evacuations were announced the day after neighbours Mali and Burkina Faso said any outside intervention to restore the ousted government would be seen as a declaration of war. Some analysts were sceptical of the statement, with both countries struggling to contain jihadist insurgencies.