COUP: Niger’s Military Expels French Ambassador Amid Rising Tensions

Niger’s military leadership has taken the step of expelling the French ambassador, Sylvain Itte, from the country. This move comes as tensions continue to escalate between Niger and its international partners.

The order for Ambassador Itte to depart the country has been given, requiring him to leave within the next 48 hours.

Niger’s foreign ministry released a statement on Friday, explaining that the decision to expel the ambassador was rooted in his refusal to attend a summons.

The statement also referred to “other actions by the French government contrary to the interests of Niger” as contributing factors, though specific details were not provided.

The junta in Niger has accused French forces of freeing captured individuals labeled as “terrorists” and violating airspace restrictions, actions believed to be aimed at destabilizing the country.

The military leadership has also accused the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) of aligning its troops with an unspecified foreign entity.

Niger, having been a former French colony, had been a partner to France in combating jihadi violence in the region before the recent coup.

The military junta in Niger has authorized troops from neighboring Mali and Burkina Faso to support its defense, which raises tensions with other West African nations that are contemplating the reinstatement of ousted President Mohamed Bazoum.

General Abdourahmane Tchiani, the junta leader, signed executive orders granting permission for the security forces of Burkina Faso and Mali to intervene on Niger’s territory if aggression arises.

A delegation from these two countries met with the junta officials in Niamey, Niger’s capital, to discuss this matter.

The military regimes in Mali and Burkina Faso have indicated that any use of force against Niger’s junta by the West African bloc ECOWAS would be treated as an act of war against their own nations.

Prior to the recent change in leadership, Niger, under the leadership of Mr. Bazoum, was a key partner in the West’s efforts against jihadi violence in the Sahel region, a region marked by anti-French sentiment…[CONTINUE READING HERE]>>