France has said that the Niger junta has no authority to expel its ambassador to the country, Sylvain Itte.
Niger military had on Friday given 48 hours ultimatum for Itte to vacate the country for refusing an invitation to meet with the junta-appointed foreign minister.
The Foreign Ministry said the actions of the French government were “contrary to the interests of Niger.”
But France said Niger’s “putschists have no authority” to expel its ambassador in Niamey, as quoted by Deutsche Welle.
“The putschists do not have the authority to make this request, the ambassador’s approval coming solely from the legitimate elected Nigerien authorities,” Paris said, adding: “We are constantly evaluating the security and operating conditions of our embassy.”
The French President, Emmanuel Macron, had on Thursday demanded the release of Nigerien President Mohamed Bazoum who was detained on July 26, 2023, by the coup plotters led by the former commander of Niger’s presidential guard, General Abdourahamane Tchiani.
The military leaders have accused Paris of planning to intervene militarily in Niger in order to reinstate Bazoum.
They also claimed that ECOWAS is in the pocket of France.
France has some 1,500 troops stationed in Niger to aid in fighting jihadist groups that have plagued the country.
Follow us on:
