Coup in Niger: liveblog closed

News item | 04-08-2023 | 14:45

Liveblog closed

Update 8 august 10:15

This liveblog is now closed. Any further updates will be published on the regular channels of the ministry of Foreign Affairs. Updates can be found on government.nl, netherlandsworldwide.nl or via our social channels:

• Twitter: @DutchMFA
• Instagram: @minbz
• Linkedin: @ministeriebz

Niger evacuation: behind the scenes at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs

Update 7 August, 16:30

After the coup on 26 July, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs worked to ensure that 20 Dutch nationals were able to leave Niger on several French flights and one Spanish flight.

Staff worked day and night on this operation. For security reasons, a lot of details had to remain secret. Now that the evacuation has been completed, we can show you what goes on at the ministry during a crisis. This article looks at the work of colleagues in The Hague, Niamey and Paris.

Read more about the evacuation operation here.

Another Dutch national departed from Niger, with a Spanish evacuation flight

Update 4 August 14:44
Today another Dutch national departed from Niger on a Spanish evacuation flight. Before departure, the Dutch national was in close contact with ambassador Paul Tholen in Niamey.

The Netherlands suspends direct cooperation with Nigerien government

Update 4 August 12:26
Following the coup in Niger, the Dutch government has suspended direct cooperation with the country’s central government until further notice. This will affect funding for development cooperation and security programmes that are run through Niger’s central government. Read the news article.

Niger evacuation: interview with Ambassador Paul Tholen in Niamey

Letter to Parliament about the developments in Niger

Update 2 August 21:54
Minister of Foreign Affairs Wopke Hoekstra informed the Parliament regarding the organized departure of Dutch nationals and Dutch embassy staff from Niger:

• Nineteen Dutch nationals left Niger on various flights.
• Most Dutch nationals who indicated that they wanted to make use of the evacuation option have left Niger.
• The embassy is closed to the public until further notice.
• The Netherlands will continue to be represented in Niger with a small team led by the ambassador and can only provide limited consular assistance.
• The government is constantly and closely monitoring developments and is in close contact with the EU and our international partners.

Read the letter to Parliament (in Dutch).

Dutch Embassy in Niger closed to the public

Update 2 August 21:35
Due to the security situation, the embassy in Niger is closed to the public until further notice. The ambassador will stay in Niamey with a small team to represent the Netherlands there. They also keep in touch with Dutch people who could not or did not want to leave at the moment. The embassy has limited availability. Dutch people in Niger can contact the Netherlands Worldwide contact center 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. We can be reached via +31 247 247 247.

Minister Hoekstra: another group of 13 Dutch nationals left Niger

Update 2 August 21:17
Minister Hoekstra of Foreign Affairs: '13 Dutch nationals have just left Niger. Almost all Dutch people who wanted and were able to leave have now left Niger. The embassy will keep in touch with a few Dutch people who could not reach the airport in time and will continue to work for them. The Dutch are on board a French evacuation flight and on their way to Paris. Colleagues from the Dutch embassy are at the airport to welcome them upon arrival.

I have just informed the House of Representatives about the state of affairs. We are in close contact with our international partners about the worrying situation in Niger. We are especially grateful to France for the assistance they have provided with the departure of our citizens and colleagues. A good example of international cooperation.'

View the post (in Dutch) on Twitter (X).

Minister Hoekstra: group of 6 Dutch nationals departed from Niger today with different flights

Update 2 August 18:23
Minister Hoekstra of Foreign Affairs: 'A group of 6 Dutch nationals departed from Niger today on various flights, with the help of international partners. We keep in close contact with Dutch people who are still in Niger and do everything we can to get those who want to leave on a flight.' View the post (in Dutch) on Twitter (X).

Ministry of Foreign Affairs working around the clock for Dutch nationals in Niger

Update 2 August 13:43
The crisis structure at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs is active. Teams in The Hague are working around the clock to help Dutch nationals in Niger and to remain in active contact with them. Staff from the Netherlands Worldwide Contact Centre (which can be reached by calling +31 247 247 247) are regularly telephoning Dutch nationals in Niger to provide advice and discuss courses of action.

Ambassador Paul Tholen with a message from Niamey (Niger)

Update 2 August 12:07

Ambassador Paul Tholen in Niger: “We are closely monitoring the situation here in Niamey. Together with international partners, we do everything we can to ensure that Dutch people who want to can join a flight out of the country. For these Dutch people, the situation is insecure and frightening. We support them, have close contact and prepare for all scenarios.”

Message from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs

Update 2 August 11:51
Ministry of Foreign Affairs: We are doing everything we can to get Dutch citizens in Niger, who want to leave, on a flight from one of our international partners. See also: Frequently asked questions about the situation in Niger.

Letter to Parliament about the developments in Niger

Update 1 August 17:40
Minister of Foreign Affairs Wopke Hoekstra informed the Parliament about the current situation in Niger and the Dutch people present:

• The Dutch government is closely following developments and, together with international partners, is preparing for various scenarios.
• The Ministry of Foreign Affairs is in close contact with France and other international partners about evacuation options.
• Dutch people in need can also contact the ministry 24 hours a day, 7 days a week: +31 247 247 247.
• Dutch people are repeatedly called upon to register to the Foreign Affairs information service (in Dutch).
• The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has no exact information about the numbers of Dutch nationals in Niger. The Ministry is currently in contact with the approximately 25 persons who have registered with the Ministry.

Read the letter to Parliament (in Dutch).

Message from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs

Update 1 August 09:08
Travel advice Niger (in Dutch): Due to the continuing unstable situation after the recent coup, the travel advice for the whole of Niger is now red: do not travel.

Are you in Niger? Stay indoors and follow directions from local authorities. Register via the BZ information service for updates. View the post on Twitter (X).

Register with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Information Service If you are currently in Niger, register with the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs Information Service (in Dutch). Select ‘Aanmelden + registratie bij ambassade’. This will help you stay up to date on the latest developments. It also lets the Ministry of Foreign Affairs know that you are in the country. Make sure to deregister if you leave the country.

Contacting the Ministry of Foreign Affairs

Update 31 July 09:00
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs is monitoring the situation closely. Dutch people in Niger can contact the Ministry of Foreign Affairs contact centre 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Phone +31 247 247 247. You can also contact the Ministry via WhatsApp (+31 6 8238 7796) or Twitter (X) (@247BZ).

Message from foreign minister Wopke Hoekstra for Dutch people in Niger

Update 28 July 10:44
Minister Hoekstra on Twitter (X): ‘The situation in Niger remains unpredictable. The Ministry is following developments as they happen and we are in close contact with the Dutch embassy and our EU partners.

I urge Dutch people in Niger to register with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Information Service so that the embassy can reach them quickly if necessary.’

Minister Hoekstra on the developments in Niger

Update 27 July 11:45

Ministry of Foreign Affairs Information Service Message sent to Dutch nationals in Niger

Update 26 July 19:34
The political and security situation in Niamey is extremely tense at the moment. If possible, stay at home until the situation settles down. Limit movements in the city as much as possible and avoid the neighbourhoods surrounding the presidential palace and the national radio and television station buildings. If circumstances allow, buy enough water and food for several days, so that you can stay at home if necessary.

See also: What to do in a crisis situation

Kind regards,
Dutch embassy in Niamey