The French foreign ministry has announced its plans to promptly initiate the evacuation of its citizens in Niger following the recent coup.

Amid the deteriorating security situation, the French embassy in Niamey conveyed that preparations for air evacuations were underway and would occur within a very limited timeframe, according to the AFP report.

Last week, Niger President Mohamed Bazoum was overthrown when troops from his presidential guard seized power.

Notably, this is the third Sahelian country, following Burkina Faso and Mali, to experience a coup in less than three years.

These incidents have been accompanied by growing anti-French sentiments, leading these nations to strengthen their ties with Russia.