The military authorities who took control of Niamey on July 26 have told the French ambassador 48 hours to leave the country, the country’s foreign minister announced in a statement Friday, according to AFP.
In light of “the refusal of the French ambassador in Niamey to respond to an invitation” from the minister for a meeting on Friday, as well as “other actions of the French government contrary to the interests of Niger,” the authorities have decided to withdraw their approval of Sylvain Itte and request that he leave within 48 hours, according to the statement.
This decision followed a string of anti-French speeches and demonstrations since the Nigerien army deposed President Mohamed Bazoum, who has since been jailed with his family.
The military chiefs accuse Paris of trying to intervene militarily in Niger to restore Bazoum and believe that the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) is a front for former regional colonial power France.
Following the coup, ECOWAS placed harsh economic sanctions on Niger and threatened to use armed action to restore constitutional order.
France has around 1,500 troops stationed in Niger to assist in the battle against terrorist groups that have plagued the country and the wider Sahel area for years.
Johnupdates (
)
