Aug 28, 2023 at 2:14 PM Update: an hour ago
French ambassador Sylvain Itte is still in Niger, despite the coup plotters’ demand to leave within 48 hours. That ultimatum has now expired.
French President Emmanuel Macron announced in a speech on Monday that Itte will remain in Niger.
Itte was told by the coup plotters on Friday that he had 48 hours to leave Niger. The coup plotters demanded his departure because the ambassador refused to meet them, the Niger Foreign Ministry reports. In addition, the actions of the French government are against the interests of Niger.
Macron reiterated that France condemns the coup and stands with ousted President Mohamed Bazoum. “Our policy is clear: we do not recognize the military junta.”
According to Macron, Itte listened in from the Nigerien capital Niamey. In the speech, Macron referred to several “difficult situations” in Africa. He cited, among other things, the situation in Sudan. In April, war broke out between the Sudanese army and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF).
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Coup plotters and supporters are ‘anti-French’
Niger is one of France’s former African colonies. More than 1,000 French soldiers are currently stationed in the country. They helped fight against jihadist groups, but that cooperation was stopped by the coup plotters.
Since the military junta seized power, there has been strong anti-French sentiment in Niger. Supporters of the coup plotters have demonstrated several times against French influence.
Like the rest of the European Union, France stopped development aid in Niger after the coup and ended economic cooperation with the country.
D-day is certain, but intervention has not yet taken place
Paris supports ECOWAS. This association of West African countries wants to intervene if the situation in Niger does not improve. The junta accuses ECOWAS of allowing itself to be used for France’s colonial cart.
Before the countries intervene, ECOWAS wanted to give the military junta in Niger one last chance, the alliance announced on August 19. ECOWAS hoped to force the coup plotters to relinquish power that weekend. If that failed, military intervention would follow. But so far no military action has been taken by ECOWAS or other allies.
That is remarkable, because ECOWAS commissioner Abdel-Fatau Musah previously announced that “D-day” had already been determined for that military intervention. It would be a “short intervention”. “To restore constitutional order in the country.”
2023-08-28 12:14:13
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