Fri 25 August 2023:
Niger’s military administration on Friday gave the French ambassador 48 hours to leave the country.
“In reaction to the note sent on August 8 to Niger’s former Ambassador in France, and French Ambassador Sylvain Itte’s refusal to reply to an invitation by the ministry for a discussion on Friday August 25 at 10.30 a.m., and due to other actions of the French government contrary to Niger’s interests, the ministry (…) is giving 48 hours to Mr. Sylvain Itte to leave the Nigerien territory,” a Nigerien Foreign Ministry statement said.
The military leaders accuse Paris of wanting to intervene military in Niger in order to reinstate Bazoum and claim that the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) is an organisation in the pocket of former regional colonial power France.
ECOWAS has imposed heavy economic sanctions on Niger following the coup and has threatened the use of armed force to restore constitutional order.
France has some 1,500 troops stationed in Niger to aid in fighting jihadist groups that have afflicted the country along with the wider Sahel region for years.
On Aug. 8, French Foreign Minister Catherine Colonna sent a note to express solidarity with Nigerien Ambassador in Paris Aichatou Boulama Kane who refused to quit her position after the military administration took power.
Niger was plunged into turmoil on July 26 when Gen. Abdourahamane Tchiani, a former commander of the presidential guard, led a military intervention that ousted President Mohamed Bazoum.
France launched an operation to evacuate its citizens as well as other nationals from Niamey.
SOURCE: INDEPENDENT PRESS AND NEWS AGENCIES
______________________________________________________________
FOLLOW INDEPENDENT PRESS:
TWITTER (CLICK HERE)
https://twitter.com/IpIndependent
FACEBOOK (CLICK HERE)
https://web.facebook.com/ipindependent
Think your friends would be interested? Share this story!
