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The Niger military junta has said that the French ambassador to Niger, Sylvain Itte, no longer has diplomatic immunity.
It has subsequently directed the police to expel him from the West African country.
Last Friday, the junta ordered the ambassador to leave the country within 48 hours after refusing to meet with the coup leaders who ousted Niger’s President Mohamed Bazoum on July 26, 2023.
Niger’s foreign ministry said that French government actions were “contrary to the interests of Niger.”
Earlier on Monday, it was reported that local authorities had cut off the water and electricity to the French embassy in Niamey, even though Itte and some other diplomats were still there.
“France and its diplomats have faced particularly difficult situations in some countries in recent months, from Sudan, where France has been exemplary, to Niger at this very moment, and I applaud your colleague and your colleagues who are listening from their posts,” Macron said during the conference
“Our policy is clear: we do not recognize the putschists,” he said.
Peoplesmind
