NIAMEY: Niger’s military rulers who seized power in Niamey on July 26 have given the French envoy 48 hours to leave the country, Niger’s Foreign Minister said on Friday.
In a statement, Niger’s Foreign Minister said faced with “the denial of the French envoy in Niamey to reply to an invitation” from the minister for a talk Friday and “other acts of the French government contrary to Niger’s interest”, the officials have decided to withdraw their approval of Sylvain Itte and ask the ambassador to leave within 48 hours, the statement maintained.
Niger’s Rulers Ask French Envoy to the country Leave 48 Hours
This development follows statements and protest demonstrations hostile toward Paris since the Nigerien military overthrew President M Bazoum, who has since been arrested.
The military rulers of Niger allege France of wanting to intervene militarily in the African country to restore deposed President Bazoum and says that the Economic Community of West African States is an alliance in the pocket of former colonial power.
The alliance has also imposed heavy economic sanctions on Niger after the coup and has also threatened the use of military force to reinstate the President and constitutional order.
France has about 1,500 military personnel stationed in Niger to aid in fighting militant groups that have plagued the nations along with the region for years.
Earlier, Niger government had allowed Burkina Faso and Mali’s armed forces to enter its territory in case of an invasion, the three nations said in a joint statement on Thursday, a likely sign the military regime in Niger plans to stand down regional pressure.
On Thursday, the three nations’ foreign ministers stated they had met in Niamey to discuss boosting coordination and cooperation on security matters.
The statement said the ministers lauded the signing on Thursday by Niger leader General Abdourahamane Tiani of two orders “allowing the Defense and Security Forces of Mali and Burkina Faso to interfere on Nigerian territory in case of an attack.”
