Aïchatou Kané Boulama, the Nigerien ambassador to France, refuses to obey the National Council for the Salvation of the People (CNSP). Along with three other ambassadors, she has been recalled. However, she has no intention of returning.
Appointed as Niger’s ambassador to France since 2021, Aïchatou Kané Boulama remains loyal to Mohamed Bazoum. Despite the coup d’état, she does not recognize Mohamed Bazoum as the President of the Republic of Niger.
According to the diplomat, the decision by the coup leaders to remove her from her functions is “null and void.” “I am still the ambassador of the legitimate president, Bazoum Mohamed, and I consider myself as such,” Aïchatou Kané Boulama told AFP. She believes that the decision was made by an “illegitimate power.”
Since the coup d’état on Wednesday, July 26, 2026, relations between France and Niger have seriously deteriorated. The premises of the French embassy in Niamey were attacked last Sunday by protesters supporting the coup leaders. It is in this context that France has decided to repatriate its voluntary nationals.
In a public statement, General Tiani criticized France’s actions since the onset of the Nigerien crisis. He formally indicated that his team is not ready to accept foreign interference in an internal affair. Thursday night, the ruling junta denounced the military agreements between Niger and France. This reaction could lead to a rupture or modification of these agreements.
