APA-Niamey (Niger) – Niger’s security services have been ordered to expel the French ambassador.
The diplomatic crisis between Niger and France takes a new dimension. After the French ambassador, declared persona non grata, refused to leave Niger territory, the junta in power since July 26 took a drastic measure.
In a letter sent to the French Ministry of Europe and Foreign Affairs on August 29, the authorities in Niamey announced the cancellation of the diplomatic documents and visas of the ambassador and his family following the July 26 coup against Mohamed Bazoum. The Quai d’Orsay, on the other hand, has asked for the ambassador’s accreditation to be renewed.
Cancellation of diplomatic cards and visas exposes those concerned to expulsion. Niamey assures us that it has instructed its security services to carry out this decision.
As far as Niamey is concerned, the French ambassador will lose the privileges and immunities attached to his status once the 48-hour deadline has expired.
On August 25, the new authorities in Niamey gave the French ambassador, Sylvain Itté, 48 hours to leave the territory of Niger on the pretext that he had refused to respond to a summons from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
On Monday, August 28, Emmanuel Macron asked the French diplomat to remain in his post on the sidelines of the ambassadors’ conference and reiterated Paris firm stance against the coup plotters, while supporting Ecowas’ diplomatic and military solutions.
CA/ac/lb/abj/APA