Niger's coup instigators have levied accusations against French forces, alleging that they freed detained "terrorists" and violated the country's airspace ban with the intention of destabilizing Niger. However, France has swiftly refuted these claims.

The seizure of power by soldiers from the presidential guard on July 26, resulting in the detention of President Mohammad Bazoum, led to widespread international condemnation and the potential prospect of a military intervention by neighboring West African nations. Responding to these concerns, the coup leaders took the step of closing Niger's airspace on Sunday and issued a warning against any form of foreign intervention.

In a video message delivered on Wednesday, Colonel Amadou Abdramane, the spokesperson for the coup leaders, alleged that France had released 16 "terrorist elements," who subsequently regrouped to plot an attack on Nigerien military positions along the border.

The colonel further asserted that an assault was carried out against a unit of the National Guard at 6:30 a.m. (05:30 GMT) in Bourkou Bourkou, situated around 30 kilometers (18.6 miles) from the Samira gold mine in the Tillaberi region.

In addition to these allegations, the colonel contended that a French military aircraft had violated the airspace ban imposed by Niger. France, however, has rejected these assertions outright.

“We are witnessing a real plan of destabilisation of our country, orchestrated by French forces,” Abdramane said. The spokesperson did not provide any evidence for the claims.

According to Reuters, France's Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs disputed the charges and claimed that their aircraft movements were compliant with an earlier arrangement with Nigerien forces.

It stated that the legitimate authorities had asked for French troops to be stationed in Niger.

“No attack against a Nigerien camp took place,” the Foreign Ministry said in a statement.

A French government official told the AFP news agency that “no terrorist has been freed by French forces.”

Experts have warned that a potential power vacuum in Niger could be exploited by armed groups.

“Tillaberi is an area where you see a lot of activities from groups linked to al-Qaeda and ISIL,” said Al Jazeera’s Ahmed Idris reporting from Abuja, Nigeria’s capital.

“And this was feared since day one of the coup that some member of armed groups in the region may take advantage of what is happening,” Idris said.

ECOWAS emergency summit

Ahead of an emergency summit convened by the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), the recent developments in Niger have heightened tensions. France, having historical ties as the former colonial power, maintains a substantial relationship with Niger, bolstered by the presence of approximately 1,000 to 1,500 French soldiers stationed in the country. However, the coup leaders have taken a stance against this, annulling five military cooperation agreements and suspending broadcasts from French international news outlets France 24 and RFI.

The coup leaders' allegations regarding France's involvement come just ahead of the ECOWAS meeting in Abuja, which aims to address the crisis in Niger. During a preceding summit the prior week, ECOWAS cautioned that military intervention was possible and set a deadline of August 6 for the military to restore democratic governance and release President Bazoum. Despite the passage of this deadline, no military action was undertaken.

Bola Tinubu, the head of the regional bloc and also the president of Nigeria, ECOWAS's most influential member, encountered resistance both domestically and internationally for raising the prospect of military intervention.

Interestingly, countries like Mali and Burkina Faso, which faced ECOWAS suspensions due to previous coups, have voiced their support for the coup leaders in Niger.

The seizure of power in Niger marks the ninth coup within the Sahel region over the course of three years.