France suspends financial aid to Niger in response to the military coup

In response to last week's coup in Niger, France has taken action by cutting off all financial aid to the West African country.

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The Foreign Ministry issued a statement suspending development aid and budget support immediately.

They also urged for a swift return to constitutional order under the leadership of elected President Mohamed Bazoum, who was ousted during the coup.

The soldiers who detained Bazoum claimed it was due to the deteriorating security situation and bad governance.

Bazoum's election in 2021 marked Niger's first democratic power transition since gaining independence from French colonial rule in 1960.

It's worth noting that France's colonial presence in Africa began in the 16th century, and it maintained control over 35 percent of the continent for 300 years.