Following last week's coup in Niger, 15 Belgians and their dependents left the country on Tuesday evening aboard French evacuation flights, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs told Belga News Agency.
On social media, Minister Hadja Lahbib thanked her French counterpart, Catherine Colonna. "The safety of our compatriots is our primary concern," she wrote.
The Belgian Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced on Tuesday that several Belgian nationals had expressed their desire to leave Niger, and would be evacuated on board French planes. These are persons of Belgian nationality and "interested parties" who have a connection with Belgium, in particular their family members.
Cette nuit, 15 Belges et ayants droit ont quitté le #Niger à bord de vols français. Grand merci à mon homologue @mincolonna 🇫🇷 et à ses services, avec lesquels nous restons en étroite concertation. La sécurité de nos compatriotes est notre principale préoccupation.
— Hadja Lahbib (@hadjalahbib) August 2, 2023
According to information from Ministry of Foreign Affairs released on Tuesday, some 110 Belgians live in the West African country.
On 26 July, a coup took place in Niger, ousting democratically elected President Mohamed Bazoum from power. In place, pro-Russian General Abdourahamane Tchiani has proclaimed himself the new strongman of the troubled country. West African countries have threatened military intervention if Bazoum is not restored to power.
