Niger's military leaders described France's Emmanuel Macron's statement as "blatant interference" as they backed the country's ousted president.
The military leaders of Niger objected the comments of Macron as they supported their previous ally and they "constitute further blatant interference in Niger's domestic affairs," Niger's military rulers' spokesman Colonel Amadou Abdramane said in a statement.
On Monday, Macron said, "I call on all the states in the region to adopt a responsible policy."
He added: "supports (ECOWAS') diplomatic action and, when it so decides, (its) military" action, he said, describing this as "a partnership approach."
On Friday, Macron paid a tribute to Bazoum, praising his "commitment, action and courage".
He added that Niger's rulers as having "no legitimacy" and insisted France would make its decisions with regard to Niger "on the basis of exchanges with President Bazoum".
Abdramane said, "Mr. Macron's comments and his unceasing efforts in favour of an invasion of Niger aim at perpetuating a neocolonial operation against the Nigerien people, who ask for nothing more than to decide its own destiny for itself."
Abdramane said Niger's "differences" with France "do not touch on the relationship between our peoples, or on individuals, but on the relevance of the French military presence in Niger."
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