Niger: French ambassador Sylvain Itté has finally left Niamey
A first victory for the Niger authorities and the people of Niger. Sylvain Itté, the French ambassador to Niger, finally left the country on Tuesday night after Emmanuel Macron announced his return to Paris on Sunday.
Although he had been unyielding to the CNSP’s demands, the French president had no choice but to recall his compatriot.
According to reports, the plane taken by Sylvain Itté and his team landed at Villacoublay air base (south-west of Paris), after a stopover in Ndjamena, Chad.
As for the departure of the 1,500 French troops, Paris has indicated that they will be withdrawn gradually, in consultation with the National Council for the safeguard of the homeland (CNSP), by the end of 2023.
The decision to withdraw the French troops, imposed by the CNSP with the support of the people, is the first victory for the people of Niger.
The government and the people must now be on their guard. France is a real leech. Paris may use another ploy to hurt Niger.
With Macron already talking of «settling an ethnic score» and «political cowardice», Niger must be prepared for any eventuality and prevent the French president from provoking an ethnic war in the country, as happened in Rwanda.
Fayçal BADIE
