France has issued a warning against travelling to Niger after six French aid workers were among eight people killed by suspected fighters at the weekend.
The foreign ministry said on its website on Wednesday people were “strongly advised” not to travel anywhere in the country, excluding the capital, Niamey, for which travel was “not advised unless for compelling reasons”.
The new advice means that the southern part of Niger, roughly a quarter of the country and far from areas where fighters are believed to operate, has been added to the so-called red zone, for which there is a strong recommendation to avoid.
“The terrorist threat against Niger, especially outside the capital and near the borders, is very high,” the ministry said.
