Niger Crisis: Military Junta Expels Nigerian Ambassador, Gives Him 48 Hours to Leave the Country

The Guardian newspaper reports that the military junta in power in the Niger Republic on Friday gave the German and Nigerian ambassadors 48 hours to leave the country.

A statement issued by the country’s Foreign Ministry to this effect read: 

“In reaction to Nigerian Ambassador Mohamed Usman’s refusal to reply to an invitation by the ministry for a discussion on Friday August 25 at 11.30 a.m., and due to other actions of the Nigerian government contrary to Niger’s interests, the ministry is giving 48 hours to Mr. Mohamed Usman’s to leave the Nigerien territory. ” 

The same reason was also given in a separate statement regarding the German Ambassador, Olivier Schnakenberg. 

Before expelling the Nigerian and German ambassadors, the junta had earlier similarly given the French ambassador 48 hours to leave Niger.

On Thursday, Nigeria’s President, Bola Tinubu, who doubles as the Chairman of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), dispatched some Islamic clerics to Niger for talks with the coup leaders to forestall a possible military intervention to restore civilian rule in the country. 

Ifyafrica (
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