Supporters of the military attacking the French embassy in Niger. Via Twitter.
Niger’s military rulers, who overthrew President Mohamed Bazoum last July, announced on August 25 that they had ordered French ambassador Sylvain Itte to leave the country within 48 hours.
The military-appointed foreign ministry said the decision to expel the ambassador was a response to actions taken by the French government that were “contrary to the interests of Niger”.
According to a statement by the ministry, the French ambassador refused to respond to an invitation to meet Niger’s new foreign minister.
Niger, a former French colony, was an ally of Paris before the recent military takeover. A growing wave of anti-French sentiment has followed recent coups in the region with some locals accusing the European country of interfering in their affairs.
France rejected the Nigerien ultimatum, affirming that it did not recognize the authorities of the country’s new military rulers.
“The putschists do not have the authority to make this request, the ambassador’s approval coming solely from the legitimate elected Nigerien authorities,” the French foreign ministry said in a statement.
France has called for President Bazoum to be returned to office after his ouster and has said it would support efforts by the Economic Community of West African States to launch a military intervention in the country. In addition, Paris refused to recognize a decision by Niger’s military rulers to revoke a raft of military agreements, saying these had been signed with the country’s “legitimate authorities”.
It’s worth noting that Niger is one of the world’s biggest producers of uranium and hosts bases for French and United States troops.
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