French Ambassador Given 48 Hours to Leave Niger

The French ambassador has been given 48 hours to leave Niger by the military authorities that took over Niamey on July 26, according to a statement released by the nation’s foreign affairs minister on Friday, according to AFP.

In response to “other actions of the French government contrary to the interests of Niger” and “the refusal of the French ambassador in Niamey to respond to an invitation” from the minister for a meeting on Friday, the authorities have decided to revoke Sylvain Itte’s approval and demand that he leave within 48 hours, according to the statement.

After the Nigerien army ousted President Mohamed Bazoum, who has since been detained along with his family, there have been a number of declarations and protests critical of France.

The military officials assert that France, a former regional colonial power, wants to militarily interfere in Niger to restore Bazoum and that the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) is a group that France, a former regional colonial power, has a financial interest in.

Following the coup, the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) imposed severe economic sanctions on Niger and threatened to use force to reestablish constitutional order.

In order to help fight the Islamist organizations that have for years terrorized both Niger and the larger Sahel region, France has some 1,500 troops stationed there.