NAIROBI, December 11. /TASS/. General Abdourahmane Tchiani, acting head of state of Niger voiced accusations against France about its alleged support of terrorist groups operating in the west African state, the ORTN broadcaster reported on Monday.

"It is impossible to put out a fire using gasoline…," the ORTN quoted Tchiani as saying. "The blaze of terrorism is fueled by France's support."

Tchiani added he hoped that "new partners" which understand the situation in his country would help in the fight against terrorism and regarding the recovery of the national economic situation.

On November 21, Niger issued a request to the ECOWAS (the Economic Community of West African States) Court asking to suspend the sanctions due to the dire humanitarian situation in the country following the closure of borders and the interruption of power supplies from Nigeria.

Niger’s authorities say that ECOWAS’ attitude toward the country is unfair as compared to its attitude toward Mali, Burkina Faso, and Guinea, which have also seen state coups in recent years. The court dismissed the request.

In late July 2023, a group of military rebels in Niger announced the removal of President Mohamed Bazoum. The mutineers then established the National Council for the Safeguard of the Homeland (known by its French abbreviation CNSP, for Conseil national pour la sauvegarde de la patrie), headed by General Abdourahmane Tchiani, to run the country.

ECOWAS suspended Niger’s membership in the organization and imposed tough sanctions on the country. Apart from that, ECOWAS leaders demanded that the rebels release Bazoum and warned about the possibility of a military resolution of the situation if he was not released.