President Emmanuel Macron has claimed that France’s ambassador to Niger is being held “hostage” in the French Embassy in Niamey, with the country’s military rulers allegedly blocking food deliveries to the building. Macron made the remarks during a press conference in the French town of Semur-en-Auxois, stating that Ambassador Sylvain Itte was surviving on “military rations.” The French president said, “As we speak, we have an ambassador and diplomatic staff who are literally being held hostage in the French Embassy. They are preventing food deliveries. He is eating military rations.”
Niger experienced a coup on July 26, which marked the latest in a series of such incidents in the region. Following the coup, Niger’s military rulers ordered France’s ambassador to leave the country. While the coup leaders issued a 48-hour ultimatum for Ambassador Itte to depart, France refused to comply.
Macron emphasized that he would take guidance from President Mohamed Bazoum, the legitimate authority, regarding the situation in Niger. When asked if he would consider recalling Itte, Macron replied, “I will do whatever we agree with President Bazoum because he is the legitimate authority and I speak with him every day.” The European Union supported France’s decision not to recall the ambassador, describing the demand by the coup leaders as a “provocation.”
Niger was considered one of France’s last close allies in the region, following military coups in neighboring countries such as Mali, Burkina Faso, and Guinea. These coups often led to severed ties with France and increased cooperation with Moscow and the Wagner Group paramilitary outfit.
General Abdourahamane Tiani, who previously guarded President Bazoum and later seized power, has named himself the leader of Niger. He suspended the country’s constitution and installed a new government. France currently maintains over 1,000 troops in resource-rich Niger, where they have assisted in fighting domestic insurgencies and training local forces. The coup leaders have called for the withdrawal of French troops from the country, but France insists that any agreement should be negotiated with Bazoum and his ousted government. Currently, the French soldiers are confined to barracks, and all joint activities with Niger’s military have been suspended.
Foreign Minister Catherine Colonna confirmed that Ambassador Itte is still working in Niamey and will remain in his position as long as Paris deems necessary. She highlighted the ambassador’s value in maintaining contacts and indicated that he still has a small team supporting him.
Overall, the situation in Niger remains tense following the coup, with France’s diplomatic personnel facing challenges within the embassy and calls for the withdrawal of French troops. The French government is working closely with President Bazoum to address the crisis.