Home EU French Ambassador asked to leave Niger in 48 hours citing anti-country activities

French Ambassador asked to leave Niger in 48 hours citing anti-country activities

August 26, 2023

(3 minutes read)

Niger’s military junta ordered France’s envoy to leave the country within 48 hours. The diktat was issued on Friday (Aug. 25) by Niger’s foreign ministry. The purported reason for expulsion, among other things, is Ambassador Sylvain Itte was due to his refusal to respond to an invitation to a meeting with Niger’s minister of foreign affairs. The statement issued by the foreign ministry also cited actions by the French government contrary to Niger’s interests. However, the statement did not get into the details of the dereliction.

The country’s military rulers deposed President Mohamed Bazoum on July 26. Earlier, the junta said it would scrap various military cooperation deals with France that were signed under the ousted President. France, ECOWAS, and the UN, among others, have called for Bazoum to be reinstated.

Instead, the junta appointed a new government and said it would return the country to democratic rule within 3 years. Niamey’s regime has accused Paris of planning a military intervention in the country to reinstate Bazoum. They also claimed the West African bloc ECOWAS was in France’s pay. France is Niger’s former colonial ruler. France and the US have deployed 1,500 troops each to back deposed President Bazoum in his fight against terrorism that has destabilized much of the Sahel.

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