Airlines serving Niamey, capital of Niger, have decided to no longer take French passengers to this destination, AFP learned from airport sources on Wednesday.
“According to the Nigerien authorities, any passenger of French nationality is no longer authorized to re-enter Nigerien territory, consequently they will no longer be accepted on our flights to this destination
,” indicates an internal Air Burkina memo consulted by the 'AFP.
“French passengers bound for Niamey can no longer board”
Royal Air Maroc (RAM) planes,
“without special authorization from the Nigerien authorities and have been doing so for almost a week
,” according to a source close to the company. company.
Contacted by AFP, other companies serving Niamey, Ethiopian Airlines, Asky, Air Tunisie and Turkish Airlines, did not initially respond to the question of whether they continued to take French nationals to Niger.
Relationships deteriorate
Also questioned, the Nigerien authorities have so far not confirmed that the French wishing or having to come to Niamey were now persona non grata on their territory.
Several French people were recently turned away upon arrival at Niamey airport, according to airport sources.
Relations between France and Niger have continued to deteriorate since the military coup of July 26, 2022 which overthrew elected President Mohamed Bazoum.
The French embassy in Niger, which Paris had announced would close shortly before Christmas, is officially closed
"until further notice"
, and will continue its activities from Paris, the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced on Tuesday.