Amid The Military Coup, 3 Indonesian Citizens In Niger Have Not Planned To Go Home

JAKARTA - The Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated that three Indonesian citizens (WNI) in Niger had not planned to go home, even though the country was being hit by a military coup.

"So far there is no plan (to go home)," said the Director of Protection for Indonesian Citizens and BHI of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Judha Nugraha as reported by ANTARA, Tuesday, August 8.

He said the Indonesian Embassy in Abuja in Nigeria and the Indonesian Honorary Consul in the capital Niamey continued to monitor the situation in Niger, as well as establish communication with the three Indonesian citizens who work in the Tahoua area.

"Their condition is good and safe," said Judha.

A number of countries such as France, Italy, Spain and Japan have announced the evacuation of their citizens from Niger amid a crisis sparked by a military coup against President Mohamed Bazoum's government.

The coup was announced by Niger soldiers on July 26, 2023, on the same day after they detained Bazoum at his residence.

The military argued that the coup was carried out because of the deteriorating security situation and the socio-economic crisis experienced by the West African country.

As a result of the coup, Nigeria's neighboring countries decided to close its land borders with Niger while the Economic Community of West African Countries (ECOWAS) said it was drafting a military intervention plan to restore democratic rule in Niger.

Responding to the threat, the junta announced it had closed Niger airspace.

Nigeria's closure of airspace and land borders is the latest challenge for countries to evacuate their citizens from Niger.