- The West African nation minister of foreign affairs gave the ultimatum in a statement Friday
- Niger said its took the decision because the ambassador failed to honour an invitation from the minister
The military junta in Niger Republic has given the French ambassador 48 hours to leave the country, according to AFP.
The West African nation minister of foreign affairs gave the ultimatum in a statement Friday.
Niger, who has been on a collision course with France, its former colonial ruler, after a clutch of coupists seized control in Niamey on July 26, said its took the decision because the ambassador failed to honour an invitation from the minister.
Faced with “the refusal of the French ambassador in Niamey to respond to an invitation” from the minister for a meeting Friday and “other actions of the French government contrary to the interests of Niger”, the authorities have decided to withdraw their approval of Sylvain Itte and ask him to depart within 48 hours, the statement said.
This decision follows a series of statements and action hostile toward France since the Nigerien army overthrew President Mohamed Bazoum, who has since been detained with his family.
The military leaders accuse Paris of plotting to intervene militarily in Niger in order to reinstate Bazoum and claim that the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) is an organisation is being used by the former regional colonial power France.
ECOWAS has imposed heavy economic sanctions on Niger following the coup and has threatened the use of armed force to restore constitutional order.
France has some 1,500 troops stationed in Niger to aid in fighting jihadist groups that have plagued the country along with the wider Sahel region for years