Niger: The French ambassador has 48 hours to leave Niamey
The military regime that seized power in Niamey on July 26 has given the French ambassador in Niamey, Sylvain Itté, 48 hours to depart, as announced by the Nigerien Ministry of Foreign Affairs in a statement.
In light of the French ambassador’s refusal in Niamey to respond to the ministry’s invitation for a meeting on Friday, along with other actions by the French government conflicting with Niger’s interests, the authorities have decided to revoke the accreditation of Mr. Sylvain Itté and request his departure from Niger within forty-eight hours.
The military regime has specifically accused Paris of attempting military intervention in Niger to reinstate Mohamed Bazoum and claimed that the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) is an organization « at the service» of France, the former colonial power in the region.
France has categorically rejected the military regime’s demand. The French Ministry of Foreign Affairs responded on Friday evening, stating that the «coup leaders do not have the authority» to request the ambassador’s departure, arguing that the ambassador’s accreditation comes solely from the legitimate elected authorities of Niger.
Since the coup, Paris maintains that the only legitimate authority in Niger is that of democratically elected President Mohamed Bazoum. What an absurdity!
It should be noted that credible sources confirm French intrigues with the intention of sowing chaos in Niger by dismantling Nigerien security arrangements to pave the way for ECOWAS to finish the job.
Niger is following in the footsteps of Mali and Burkina Faso, where there are no longer French ambassadors.
These two countries, also under military leadership since 2020 and 2022, have shown solidarity with the generals in Niamey, stating their readiness to fight alongside the Nigerien army in case of ECOWAS intervention, driven by France’s influence.
Fayçal Badie
