Paris has indeed received an expulsion letter from the military regime in power in Niger regarding its ambassador, but rejects it, according to information from BFMTV citing a diplomatic source.
“The coup leaders do not have the authority to make this request, as the approval of the ambassador comes solely from the legitimate elected Nigerien authorities,” it was specified.
Nigerien coup leaders announced earlier on Thursday that they had “instructed” the police services to proceed with the expulsion of the French ambassador in Niamey, Sylvain Itté. Last week, they demanded that he leave the country within 48 hours. The French Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Quai d’Orsay), upon becoming aware of the Nigerien military’s request for the departure of its ambassador in Niamey, has decided to reject it.
As a reminder, on the evening of July 26, Nigerien military personnel announced the ousting of President Mohamed Bazoum, the closure of borders, the implementation of a curfew, the suspension of the Constitution, and the ban on all political parties. Two days later, they proclaimed General Abdourahamane Tchiani, who led the presidential guard and whose units still hold Mohamed Bazoum, as the head of state.
In mid-August, the Nigerien civil movement M62 accused French authorities of seeking to provoke a war in the country and continuing their plundering. “The military aggression project initiated from start to finish by France and imposed on the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) is a declaration of war against the Sahel countries and certain other neighboring states of Niger,” stated the movement, as cited by the Nigerien Press Agency.
