The military in power in Niger since the July 26 coup gave the French ambassador 48 hours on Friday August 25 to leave the country. Faced with “the refusal of the French ambassador in Niamey to respond to the invitation” of the ministry “for an interview” “and other actions of the French government contrary to the interests of Niger”, the authorities “decided to withdraw their approval to Mr. Sylvain Itte and to ask him to leave Nigerien territory within forty-eight hours”, indicates the Nigerien Ministry of Foreign Affairs in a press release.
This decision follows a series of statements and demonstrations hostile to France since the Nigerien army overthrew elected President Mohamed Bazoum on July 26, who has since been detained with part of his family. The military regime in particular accused Paris of wanting to intervene militarily in Niger to put Mr. Bazoum back in place and claimed that the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) was an organization “in the pay” of France. , a former colonial power in the region.
“France has taken note of the putschists’ request,” the foreign ministry told AFP. “The putschists do not have the authority to make this request, the ambassador’s approval emanating only from the legitimate elected Nigerien authorities,” he explained.
ECOWAS imposed heavy economic and financial sanctions on Niger after the coup and threatened the military regime to use armed force to restore constitutional order.
France is deploying 1,500 men to Niger who were helping the regime of President Bazoum to fight against the jihadist groups which have been bloodying Niger and a large part of the Sahel for years.
