France says it condemns any power grab attempt in Niger

FILE PHOTO: President of Niger, Mohamed Bazoum delivers a speech during the opening session of the New Global Financial Pact Summit at the Palais Brogniart in Paris, France on June 22, 2023. LUDOVIC MARIN/Pool via REUTERS/File Photo

PARIS (Reuters) - France said on Wednesday it condemned any attempt to seize power through violence in Niger, where presidential guards were holding President Mohamed Bazoum inside his palace in the capital Niamey.

In recent months France has been forced to redefine the country's strategy to fight Islamist militants in the Sahel after thousands of troops completed a withdrawal from Mali and concerns mount over the growing threat to coastal West African states.