Niger Orders French Ambassador to Leave Within 48 Hours
In a surprising move, Niger’s military junta has ordered the French ambassador in Niamey, Sylvain Itte, to leave the country within 48 hours. The Nigerien Foreign Ministry announced this decision on Friday, citing Itte’s refusal to attend a scheduled meeting with the country’s foreign minister as the reason behind the expulsion.
The ministry also mentioned “other actions by the French government that are against Niger’s interest” as contributing factors. Itte’s credentials have been withdrawn by the Nigerien authorities in response to his refusal to engage in diplomatic discussions.
The French Foreign Ministry responded to this development, stating, “France has taken note of the putschists’ request.” However, it made it clear that the military junta does not have the authority to demand the departure of the ambassador. According to the French Foreign Ministry, the ambassador’s approval comes solely from the legitimate elected authorities of Niger.
CNN has reached out to the French Foreign Ministry for further comments on this matter. It remains to be seen how France will respond to Niger’s expulsion order.
In a separate incident, the US State Department revealed that it had been notified by Niger’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs about “images of letters circulating on the internet calling for the departure of certain American diplomatic personnel.” However, the ministry stated that these letters were not issued by them, and they have not made any request to the US government for the removal of its diplomats.
The political situation in Niger is tense following the military coup that occurred earlier this year. The military junta overthrew President Mahamadou Issoufou’s government, prompting international condemnation and concerns about the stability of the country. As tensions continue to escalate, it is uncertain how these recent developments will impact the already fragile political landscape in Niger.