Niger Junta Withdraws French Ambassador’s Diplomatic Immunity, Orders His Expulsion from the Country
The Vanguard newspaper reports that the military junta in power in the Niger Republic has withdrawn diplomatic immunity from the French ambassador to the country and ordered his expulsion from the country.
A letter to that effect, dated Tuesday, August 29, 2023, and addressed to the foreign ministry in Paris, said the envoy, along with members of his family, no longer enjoys diplomatic immunity and that the police have been instructed to effect his expulsion.
Part of the letter indicated that the envoy; “no longer enjoys the privileges and immunities attached to his status as a member of the diplomatic personnel in the French embassy.
“(His) diplomatic cards and visas and those of the members of his family have been cancelled. The police have been instructed to proceed to his expulsion.”
The action follows the standoff between the junta and the French government since it seized power in the West African country in the July 26 coup that toppled former President Mohamed Bazoum, a close ally of the French government.
The French government refused to recognize the military junta, insisting on Bazoum’s return to power. This stance strained relations between the two countries.
On Friday, the Niger authorities gave French envoy, Sylvain Itte, a 48-hour deadline to leave the country but the French government responded by saying that the military junta lacked the authority to order its ambassador out of the country.
But following the expiration of the 48-hour deadline, the Niger junta cut off electricity and water supplies to the French embassy in Niamey, the capital city, and to consulate offices in other parts of the country.
Meanwhile, the French military spokesman, Colonel Pierre Gaudilliere, on Thursday, issued a warning to the Niger junta, saying: “The French military forces are ready to respond to any upturn in tension that could harm French diplomatic and military premises in Niger”. Measures have been taken to protect these premises.”
It remains to be seen whether the Nigerien authorities would carry out their expulsion threat in the face of the warning from the French military spokesman.
Ifyafrica (
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