Despite a 48-hour ultimatum from the new army leadership in the coup-affected Sahel country of Niger Republic, France’s ambassador remains stationed there, as confirmed by French President Emmanuel Macron on Monday.
In a significant foreign policy address to a gathering of ambassadors in Paris, Macron affirmed that Sylvain Itte, the French envoy, was still present in Niger’s capital, Niamey, despite the expulsion deadline issued last Friday.
“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,” he said.
ALSO READ: Crude Oil Thieves Are ‘Big People’ Sitting In Abuja With Licenses – Rivers Governor
Niger President Mohamed Bazoum was toppled on July 26 and has been detained along with his family at the presidential palace in a coup that has been condemned by France and most of Niger’s neighbours.
On Friday, Niger’s foreign ministry announced that French ambassador Itte had 48 hours to leave, saying he had refused to meet with the new rulers and citing French government actions that were “contrary to the interests of Niger”.
Macron insisted that France would not change its position in condemning the coup and offering support to Bazoum, stressing he had been democratically elected and was being “courageous” by refusing to resign.
“Our policy is clear: we do not recognise the putschists,” Macron said.