The soldiers had given the French ambassador to Niger until Sunday to leave the country. This Monday, August 28, Sylvain Itté is still there, said Emmanuel Macron, who highlighted the work of the various French diplomats. They “have been confronted in recent months with situations, in certain countries, which are particularly difficult, whether in Sudan, where France has been exemplary”, or “in Niger at this very moment”. “I salute your colleague and your colleagues who are listening from their posts,” he said in a speech to the ambassadors at their annual meeting.
France, a former colonial power, has been targeted by the military in power in Niger. The National Council for the Safeguarding of the Homeland (CNSP) in power, headed by General Abdourahamane Tchiani, had requested, Friday evening, the departure of the French ambassador, within 48 hours. The CNSP also denounced the military agreements between Niamey and Paris.
Thousands of people in favor of the coup demonstrated on Sunday near the French military base in Niamey, brandishing signs calling in particular for the departure of French troops.
The European Union expressed its “full support” for the French Ambassador to Niger. “The decision of the putschists to expel the French ambassador is a new provocation which can in no way help to find a diplomatic solution to the current crisis,” said EU diplomatic service spokeswoman Nabila Massrali. in a press release. “The European Union does not and will not recognize the authorities resulting from the coup in Niger,” she added, recalling a position already expressed at the end of July.
The European Union had already suspended its budgetary aid to Niger and warned that it could impose new sanctions following the coup.