French MFA puts Niger, Mali and Burkina Faso Capital Cities under “DO NOT TRAVEL” Warning

French MFA puts Niger, Mali and Burkina Faso Capital Cities under “DO NOT TRAVEL” Warning

The French Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) has escalated its travel advisories for West African nations, placing the capital cities of Niger, Mali, and Burkina Faso under a stern “DO NOT TRAVEL” warning. This comes amid increasing concerns over political instability, particularly in Niger, which has just experienced a coup.

(Read Also: France backs ECOWAS in restoring democracy in Niger after military coup)

Niger Faces Tumultuous Times

As Niger grapples with its recent political upheaval, its international profile has attracted widespread attention. The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) had previously set a deadline for the nation’s coup leaders to restore democratic order or face potential military intervention. However, as the deadline expired, there were no signs of the military action, hinting at divisions within ECOWAS.

While some believe that this hardline stance by ECOWAS was influenced by Western allies, notably the United States and France, there is a suggestion that the bloc’s decisions reflect the policies of its new chairman, Nigeria’s President Bola Tinubu. Analysts have indicated that there’s an underlying fear among ECOWAS leaders of coups becoming a trend in the region.

(Read Also: France Demands Military Junta in Niger Step Back from “Adventurism,” Citing Regional Stability as At Stake)

An Abuja-based political analyst, Afolabi Adekaiyaoja, highlighted that regional militaries often exchange intelligence. Therefore, democratically elected administrations might be concerned about their armed forces emulating similar disruptive actions.

France’s Travel Advisory Contextualized

The decision by the French MFA to issue such a severe travel warning for these three nations underscores the volatile situation in the region. While all three countries have experienced varying degrees of political instability and security concerns in recent years, the events in Niger have elevated the risk profile for French citizens and interests.

(Read Also: Niger Braces for Next Move as Deadline to Reinstate President Counts On)

As of now, there is a heightened sense of uncertainty among international stakeholders regarding the next steps in Niger and the broader Sahel region. The stalling response of ECOWAS and this latest move by the French government exemplify the complex challenges faced in the region.