France’s ambassador to military-coup Niger was still in the capital Niamey on Monday despite the country’s junta demanding that the French envoy leave the country.
The announcement of Ambassador Sylvain Itte’s presence in the country came from French President Emmanuel Macron in an annual recurring speech on French foreign policy.
– I applaud your colleagues who listen to the speech on the spot, Macron said in a reference to Ambassador Ittes. Macron also noted that the situation for French diplomats is particularly difficult in Niger and in Sudan.
Macron also issued a clear warning to Niger’s military junta in Monday’s speech:
– Our attitude is clear: we do not recognize coup plotters.
The coup leaders in Niger gave the French ambassador 48 hours to leave the country. The reason was said to be that the French envoy “refused” to attend a meeting with the minister, as well as “other actions by France that are contrary to the interests of Niger”.
Pressure on the military junta, which ousted President Mohamed Bazoum in late July, has increased since the West African Cooperation Organization Ecowas warned of a military effort to restore the presidency. On Monday, leader Abdourahamane Tiani ordered the country’s military to be on high alert.
Tiani has also appealed to the neighboring countries of Mali and Burkina Faso for military support in the event of a possible military intervention. Both countries are also ruled by military juntas.