Niger junta expels French Ambassador, France replies 'you have no authority to do that'

Niger’s military rulers, who seized control of the government in July, gave the French ambassador 48 hours to leave the country, Niamey’s foreign ministry said in a statement Friday.

But the French government has sternly rebuffed the demands of Niger’s coup leaders, firmly asserting that the coupists have no authority to issue directives to the French ambassador in Niamey.

“The request made by the putschists has been duly acknowledged by France,” the French Ministry told AFP.

However, France promptly dismissed this appeal, underscoring that the coup leaders hold no legitimacy in making such a demand.

The statement from France added, “The putschists do not have the authority to make this request, the ambassador’s approval coming solely from the legitimate elected Nigerien authorities.”

The French Ministry said the embassy’s operational status and security considerations remain under constant assessment. “We are constantly evaluating the security and operating conditions of our embassy.”

The Nigerien military government had on Friday issued an order to the French ambassador in Niamey Sylvain Itte to leave the country within 48 hours.

Their proclamation was rooted in the alleged lack of response from the French ambassador to ministerial summons, along with alleged divergent actions undertaken by the French government that were deemed to run counter to Niger’s interests.