2023-12-21 22:44:00
France has decided to close its embassy in Niger, where “it is no longer able to function normally or carry out its missions”, AFP learned Thursday December 21 from diplomatic sources. “Taking note of this situation, we have decided to close our embassy soon,” these sources continued, adding that the French representation has proceeded with the “dismissal and compensation” of its local agents. This extremely rare measure comes after Niamey announced on December 12 the departure of all French soldiers deployed in Niger as part of the anti-jihadist fight by December 22, i.e. this Friday.
It is the culmination of a deep divorce between France and Niger, since the generals came to power in Niamey, during a coup d’état on July 26. “After the attack on our embassy on July 30, and after the establishment of a blockade around our hold by Nigerien forces, we proceeded, at the end of September, with the departure of most of our diplomatic personnel,” explained the diplomatic sources.
The “attack” of July 30
After the coup d’état of July 26, the military in power quickly demanded the departure of French soldiers – around 1,500 deployed to fight against the jihadists – and denounced several military agreements concluded with Paris. The military regime also pronounced at the end of August the expulsion of the French ambassador Sylvain Itté. He remained stuck inside the diplomatic representation for almost a month before leaving. He was “taken hostage”, commented French President Emmanuel Macron.
READ ALSO Niger: a coup d’état more political than militaryNigerien companies supplying supplies to the embassy were “dissuaded, even threatened” by the new power, and ended up no longer coming, Sylvain Itté declared at the end of September on the TF1 channel. “We had to take out the trash without our friends in the junta noticing,” he said, adding: “It was a matter of bringing in food and water, again by showing ingenuity.”
On July 30, the violent demonstration which had targeted the French embassy turned into an “attack” and had “lasted more than 2.5 hours”, he said. “That day, we were collectively in danger and we came very, very close to the tragedy, because there were more than 6,000 people who were there to fight it out, who were there to enter the embassy” , the diplomat reported.
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