Niger military government asks police to escort French ambassador

Niger's military government has revoked the French ambassador's visa and diplomatic immunity and ordered police to escort him out of the country.

According to a letter from the Niger military government to the French Foreign Ministry in Paris on August 29, French Ambassador Sylvain Itte to the West African country "no longer enjoys the privileges and immunities of a diplomatic staff at the French embassy".

"His diplomatic cards and visas and those of his family members have been cancelled. Police have been ordered to proceed with his deportation," the letter said.

Last week, Niger's military government gave Ambassador Itte 48 hours to leave the country. However, France refused to comply with the request, saying the current government had no legal right to expel the ambassador.

Nigerien police patrol past the French embassy in the capital Niamey on August 28. Photo: AFP

French President Emmanuel Macron on August 29 praised Ambassador Itte after he resolutely stayed at the embassy in Niger.

It is unclear how Nigerien police will enforce the order to expel Ambassador Itte. France has 1,500 troops in Niger, most of them based at a base near the capital Niamey, and could intervene if the embassy is breached.

Colonel Pierre Gaudilliere, a spokesman for the French military, also warned on August 31 that "French military forces are ready to respond to any escalation that could harm the country's diplomatic and military facilities in Niger."

Niger's relations with France have deteriorated further after Paris declared its support for ousted President Mohamed Bazoum and refused to recognise the military government following the coup.

Niger's military government has repeatedly criticized France, accusing Paris of wanting to intervene militarily to restore Bazoum to power, and claiming that France dominates the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS). The West African bloc has activated its standing force and is ready to intervene in Niger.

The Nigerien army ousted Mr. Bazoum on July 26 and established an interim military government. Mr. Bazoum has been under house arrest and has not been seen in public since.

Location of Niger and the Sahel region. Graphic: AFP

Thanh Tam (According to AFP )

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