The French government has announced plans to repatriate its citizens and that of other European countries from the military-controlled Niger Republic, the office of the foreign minister has said.

This move comes nearly a week after a military junta headed by Army Brigadier General Abdourahamane Tchiani arrested civilian president Mohamed Bazoum and seized power and subsequently named himself Niger’s new leader.

In the aftermath of the coup, the junta leader, Mr Tchiani, announced the closure of the country’s airspace to incoming and outgoing flights leaving French citizens and that of other countries no chance to leave Niger on their own.

However, the government in France, whose Embassy in Niger’s capital city of Niamey suffered violent attacks in the wake of the seizure of power, said plans are underway to evacuate its citizens from Niger.

Any possible evacuation by the French government is expected to be subjected to approval from the military junta.

The regional bloc ECOWAS, which Niger is a member of, has placed several sanctions on the country, including the closure of West African borders and airspaces to Niger and also economic sanctions.

Leaders of ECOWAS countries have also ordered the release of detained civilian leader Mr Bazoum and return the country to civilian rule in one week or face more stringent deterrent measures, including military action.

The African Union (AU), the European Union (EU) and the United States have also called for the release of Mr Bazoum and the military to relinquish control of the country.