French President Emmanuel Macron stated on Monday, August 28, that France’s ambassador to Niger remains in the Sahel country, despite an ultimatum from the newly installed military leaders to vacate his diplomatic position.
France’s ambassador to Niger is still in the coup-hit Sahel country despite an ultimatum from the new army leaders to leave his post, French President Emmanuel Macron said Monday.
During a major foreign policy speech to ambassadors in Paris, Macron confirmed that French envoy Sylvain Itte was listening in from Niger capital Niamey despite being given a 48-hour deadline to leave the country last Friday.
Niger President Mohamed Bazoum was toppled on July 26 and has been detained along with his family at the presidential palace in a coup that has been condemned by France and most of Niger’s neighbors.
On Friday, the new Niger regime announced that French ambassador Itte had 48 hours to leave, saying he had refused to meet with the new rulers and citing French government actions that were “contrary to the interests of Niger”.
Macron insisted that France would not change position in condemning the coup and offering support to Bazoum, stressing he had been democratically elected and was being “courageous” by refusing to resign.
The EU also offered support later on Monday.
She added that the EU “does not recognize” the authorities that seized power in Niger.
The changes have led to the creation of new military governments hostile to France, a former colonial power in West Africa which has troops across the region engaged in fighting Islamist groups.
Khalil Wakim, with AFP
