The French ambassador and several diplomats in Niger are taken hostage in the embassy by the military junta. French President Emmanuel Macron said this on Friday French media. According to the president, the ambassador, Sylvain Itté, is no longer allowed to go outside and he is not given anything to eat.
The junta, which seized power at the end of July by deposing President Mohamed Bazoum, demanded the departure of the French ambassador from Niger at the end of August. France refused to respond, saying that only “the legitimately elected Nigerien authorities” can expel the ambassador. According to the French Foreign Ministry, the coup plotters have no authority to make such a request. When asked whether the ambassador could be repatriated to Paris, Macron said he was in daily contact with Bazoum, “because he is the legitimate authority.”
France worked closely with the government of democratically elected President Bazoum in Niger. The countries did this mainly in the military field to combat jihadism in the region. That is why France has about 1,500 soldiers stationed in the African country. Supporters of the new regime of the coup plotters have already demonstrated several times against – in their words – French colonialism.
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